THE INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE AND COOPERATION/SOUTH KOREA,CHOLLABUK-DO

The delegate of Ishikawa Prefecture with its governor as captain visited Chollabuk-Do, South Korea in October 1999 and gave a courtesy call to You Jongkeun. In addition to ongoing exchange of friendship with Irkutskaya Oblast, Russia and Jiangsu Province, China, Ishikawa prefecture would promote this newly starting exchange with Chollabuk-Do.

 

Outline: 

Location

It is located in the southwestern part of the Korean Peninsular and it is approx. 240km (149mile) away from Seoul.

Area

8,047.5km2 (8.1% of the national land)

Population

2,010,000 persons (850,000 persons are engaged in various kinds of economical activities.)

Local administrative sections

6 cities, 8 counties, 248 villages and sections

Capital

Chonju City (Population Approx. 600,000 persons, the capital of Post-Paekche Dynasty)

 

Industry:

It is one of the areas that have attained the early economical growth in early times in South Korea. It has the long history of agriculture, traditional industries and crafts.

Industry proportion is; the 1st industry- 17.4%, the 2nd industry- 25.8%, the 3rd industry- 56.8%.

The world famous automobile companies Hyundae and Daewoo have constructed their automative parts factories recently, and the automobile industry has been developing rapidly.

 

Culture and Art

It has 527 major cultural properties including 150 cultural assets designated by the nation, such as Pungnammun Gate, the symbol of Chonju City constructed in Chosun Dynasty period, and the stone pagoda at the site of Miruksa Temple, kernel of stone craft in Paekche Dynasty.

Traditional craft, music, food and stage art such as pansoli (opera performed by 1 person) have been cultivated.

 

Nature and Sight-seeing

It contains 4 national parks including Chirisan National Park and 4 provincial parks.

There are many ancient monuments and cultural assets. Traditional food using typical ingredients of Korean cuisine can be tasted. You can enjoy the natural landscapes such as beautiful autumn leaves in Naejangsan park, azalea flowers in the Byonsan Peninsular in summer, magnificent scenery in Chirisan and Tokyusan covered with snow in winter. The beautiful nature is preserved and Winter Universiade '97 in Muju and Chonju was held here. There are also many Buddhist temples including Kumsansa and other cultural assets.

 

Chonju city:

Chonju is called "a city of gourmet ", famous as the best place to taste Korean cuisine. It is known for the production of good rice, and it is the home of bibimbap, one of the most famous traditional Korean dishes.

 

Miscellaneous:

Agreement on International Sister-city Museum was signed between Ishikawa Prefecture History Museum and Chonju National Museum on January 18, 1991. They have been exchanging their staffs and conducting cooperative researches.

 

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