Sangju
Encyclopedia
Sangju is a city
in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea
. Although Sangju is rather rural, it is very old and was once a key city. Along with Gyeongju
, it gives rise to half of the name of the Gyeongsang
provinces. Sangju is nicknamed Sam Baek, or "Three Whites", referring to three prominent agricultural products rice
, silkworm cocoons, and dried persimmon
s from the area.
, Goesan
, Okcheon
, and Yeongdong
. Within North Gyeongsang province, it touches Mungyeong
on the north, Yecheon
, Uiseong
, and Gumi
on the east, and Gimcheon
to the south.
The north and west extremes of the city are found in Hwabuk-myeon, at 127°47′55″E and 36°14′6″N, respectively. The southern limit lies in Gongseong-myeon at 36°14′06″N , on the border with Gimcheon city. The eastern edge of Sangju is found in Jungdong-myeon at 128°20′28″E. The city thus spans a total distance of about 49 km from north to south, and about 43.3 km from east to west.
All of Sangju lies in the valley of the Nakdong River
. Various tributaries flow into the Nakdong in Sangju, including the Yeong (which rises in Mungyeong). The land slopes down from the Sobaek Mountains
in the east to the river basin. The highest elevation in Sangju is found at the top of Songnisan
, 1,058 m above sea level
. Like most of South Korea, the terrain is generally hilly, with only a few flat areas along the rivers. Because of this rugged terrain, 67% of the land in Sangju is classified as "vacant," unused for agricultural or other purposes.
Namsan
mountain is located in the city.
. It first emerges after the Silla
conquest of the area, in which minor states such as Goryeong Gaya
(in Hamchang-eup
) and Sabeol-guk (in Sabeol-myeon) were subjugated. The dates at which these conquests occurred are open to dispute, but it is apparent that the area was under firm Silla control by 505, and probably for some time before then.
Under Silla, the fortress of Sangju was one of the nine ju, or provincial administrative units, into which the portions of the kingdom near Gyeongju
were divided. It played a critical role in regulating traffic along the east-west transit route which connected the Han River
valley in the west (which Silla acquired in 553) with Gyeongju area. It would have been the first major city that Buddhist
missionaries from Goguryeo
would have reached when travelling down from Haneuljae
Pass in the 6th century.
During the tumultuous decline of Unified Silla
in the late 9th century, a number of rebellions occurred in Sangju, as they did throughout the country. Notable among them are the rebellions of Ajagae
, who seized the fortress of Sangju and declared himself a general, and the Silla noble Bak Eon-chang, who re-established the kingdom of Sabeol-guk in the Sabeol-myeon area until he was overthrown by the Hubaekje
leader Gyeon Hwon
. Ajagae surrendered to Wanggeon in 918.
In 1895, as part of a general reorganization of local government, Sangju was designated Sangju-gun (Sangju County). In 1914, its boundaries were extended to cover Hamchang County, present-day Hamchang-eup. On January 1, 1986, separate administrative divisions were created for the city center (which was called Sangju City) and the outskirts (which continued to be called Sangju County). On January 1, 1995, the city and county were reunified to create the present-day entity of Sangju City.
Under Japanese occupation, the occupation government made various efforts to modernize local agriculture and resource extraction. The railroad through Sangju was completed in 1924, and around the same time the agricultural-training institution which would become Sangju National University was established.
of Sangju is the chief legislative organ of the district. Like the mayor, the members of the city council are elected every four years. The chairman of the Sangju city council is Kim Ki-hwan (김기환). The council which began serving in 2002 is the fourth council to represent the present-day entity of Sangju City; the first was formed from the merger of the pre-existing councils of Sangju City and Sangju County. There are 23 members. One member is elected from each eup, myeon, and dong, except for Jinheung-dong and Dongseong-dong, which share a single representative.
, in addition to Sangju. It reports to the provincial court in Daegu
.
The area has been famed for sericulture
(silk production) since Silla times. Currently 243,000 m² of land are engaged in silk production, bringing in about 434 million won annually. In addition, numerous other cash crop
s are farmed in the area. The most important agricultural product is rice
, in the production of which Sangju is 7th in the country, with 169.13 km² in production yielding 162.9 billion won. Other important products include grape
s, apple
s, pear
s, and cucumber
s.
Sangju today is an important regional center of industry and commerce as well, exerting a significant economic effect on neighboring areas. This is facilitated by its strong transit connections (see Transportation, below).
Also, Sangju tries to keep up agaricultural section with some specialized produces such as dried persimmon and fruits raised in high altitude.
The lone eup is Hamchang
, on the city's northern border with Mungyeong.
From west to east along the city's northern border, the myeon are Hwabuk-myeon, Oiseo-myeon, Euncheok-myeon, and Ian-myeon which adjoins Hamchang-eup. From north to south along the western border are Sabeol-myeon, Jungdong-myeon, and Nakdong-myeon. From east to west along the southern border are Cheongni-myeon, Gongseong-myeon, Modong-myeon, and Moseo-myeon in the southwest corner. Along the he central western border lie Hwadong-myeon and Hwanam-myeon. In addition, the interior of the city includes Hwaseo-myeon, Gonggeom-myeon, Naeseo-myeon and Oinam-myeon.
The dongs are clustered around the city center, and from 1986 to 1995 they made up all of Sangju City (see "History, above). They are Bungmun-dong in the northern part of town, Gyerim-dong in the northeast, Dongmun-dong to the east, Dongseong-dong to the southeast, Sinheung-dong to the south, and Namwon-dong to the west. Namwon-dong is the most populous, with 13,334 registered residents (2002).
railroad runs through Sangju city, connecting to the main Gyeongbu Line
in Gimcheon
. It is thus possible to take passenger trains from Sangju to major southeastern cities such as Daegu and Busan. The Gyeongbuk Line carries both passenger and freight traffic, and provides an important link for people and businesses in the hinterland
of Sangju. Aside from Sangju Station itself, stations are located in Sabeol-myeon (Baegwon Station), Gonggeom-myeon (Yangjeom Station), and Hamchang-eup (Hamchang Station) north of the city, and Cheongni-myeon (Cheongni Station) and Gongseong-myeon (Oksan Station) to the south.
The Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway
, number 45, runs from north to south through the city and connects Sangju with the national expressway grid. The Sangju interchange is located near the city center, and the North Sangju interchange near Hamchang. An additional expressway, number 30, which will run from west to east, is under construction.
In addition, national highways connect Sangju with many neighboring cities and towns. For example, National Road 3 has served as the traditional artery connecting Sangju with Mungyeong and Chungju
, and National Road 25 continues to play an important role tying Sangju to its neighbor on the western side of the Sobaek mountains, Boeun County
.
There are 43 elementary schools in Sangju, including eleven branch schools. There are 17 public middle schools in the city, including two branch schools. Of these, one each is reserved exclusively for male and female students. In addition, there are five private middle schools, of which two are female-only, two male-only, and one coeducational. The city also boasts six private and six public high schools: four of the private and two of the public institutions are gender-segregated. Half of the high schools offer technical training, and half maintain a general academic focus.
Sangju is home to Sangju National University
, a government-administered institution with a focus on agricultural
technology. Many young people of college age leave the area to attend schools in the Seoul National Capital Area
or other major cities.
, China
Davis
, California
, United States
Administrative divisions of South Korea
||South Korea is divided into 8 provinces , 1 special autonomous province , 6 metropolitan cities , and 1 special city...
in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. Although Sangju is rather rural, it is very old and was once a key city. Along with Gyeongju
Gyeongju
Gyeongju is a coastal city in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. It is the second largest city by area in the province after Andong, covering with a population of 269,343 people according to the 2008 census. Gyeongju is southeast of Seoul, and east of the...
, it gives rise to half of the name of the Gyeongsang
Gyeongsang
Gyeongsang was one of the eight provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Gyeongsang was located in the southeast of Korea....
provinces. Sangju is nicknamed Sam Baek, or "Three Whites", referring to three prominent agricultural products rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
, silkworm cocoons, and dried persimmon
Persimmon
A persimmon is the edible fruit of a number of species of trees in the genus Diospyros in the ebony wood family . The word Diospyros means "the fire of Zeus" in ancient Greek. As a tree, it is a perennial plant...
s from the area.
Geography
Sangju lies on the northwestern border of North Gyeongsang province, touching on North Chungcheong province. Thus, to its west and north it adjoins the North Chungcheong counties of BoeunBoeun County
Boeun County is a county in North Chungcheong Province, South Korea.-History:Boeun, literally "offering gratitude" or "thanksgiving", was named in 1406 by a remorseful King Taejong, who felt relieved that he had cleared his conscience after having participated at a ceremonial ritual at the local...
, Goesan
Goesan County
Goesan County is a county in North Chungcheong Province, South Korea.-External links:*...
, Okcheon
Okcheon County
Okcheon County is a county in North Chungcheong Province, South Korea.-Prominent individuals:*Song Si-yeol*Yuk Young-soo First Lady of Korea, killed during an assassination attempt on her husband, Park Chung-hee.-External links:*...
, and Yeongdong
Yeongdong County
Yeongdong County is a county in North Chungcheong Province, South Korea. The county should not be confused with the similarly named Yeongdong region.During the Korean War, this county was the site of the No Gun Ri incident.-Climate:-External links:*...
. Within North Gyeongsang province, it touches Mungyeong
Mungyeong
Mungyeong is a city in Gyeongsangbuk Province, South Korea. The local government, economy, and transportation networks are all centered in Jeomchon, the principal town. Mungyeong has a lengthy history, and is known today for its various historic and scenic tourist attractions...
on the north, Yecheon
Yecheon County
Yecheon County is a county in the province of North Gyeongsang, South Korea. It is 661 sq. km. in area, and in 2004 had a population of 52,311. It has lost over 2/3 of its inhabitants since the mid 1960s. It consists of twelve administrative districts...
, Uiseong
Uiseong County
Uiseong County is a county in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea. Located near the center of the province, it is bounded by Andong on the north, Cheongsong on the east, Gunwi County on the south, and Sangju and Yecheon on the west. As in most parts of Korea, most of the land is vacant and...
, and Gumi
Gumi
Gumi is the second largest city in Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. It is located on the Nakdong River, half way between Daegu and Gimcheon, also lies on the Gyeongbu Expressway and Gyeongbu Line railway which are the principal traffic routes of the country....
on the east, and Gimcheon
Gimcheon
Gimcheon is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is situated on the major land transportation routes between Seoul and Busan, namely the Gyeongbu Expressway and Gyeongbu Line railway.-Administrative divisions:...
to the south.
The north and west extremes of the city are found in Hwabuk-myeon, at 127°47′55″E and 36°14′6″N, respectively. The southern limit lies in Gongseong-myeon at 36°14′06″N , on the border with Gimcheon city. The eastern edge of Sangju is found in Jungdong-myeon at 128°20′28″E. The city thus spans a total distance of about 49 km from north to south, and about 43.3 km from east to west.
All of Sangju lies in the valley of the Nakdong River
Nakdong River
The Nakdong River is the longest river in South Korea, and passes through major cities such as Daegu and Busan.-Geography:...
. Various tributaries flow into the Nakdong in Sangju, including the Yeong (which rises in Mungyeong). The land slopes down from the Sobaek Mountains
Sobaek Mountains
The Sobaek Mountains are a mountain range cutting across the southern Korean peninsula. They split off from the Taebaek Mountains and trend southwest across the center of the peninsula. They are traditionally considered to reach their southwestern limit at Jirisan, which is also the highest peak...
in the east to the river basin. The highest elevation in Sangju is found at the top of Songnisan
Songnisan
Songnisan is a mountain and National Park in South Korea. It lies in the Sobaek mountains along the border between Gyeongsangbuk-do and Chungcheongbuk-do. Its main attractions are the temple Beopjusa and an especially picturesque peak, Munjangdae...
, 1,058 m above sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
. Like most of South Korea, the terrain is generally hilly, with only a few flat areas along the rivers. Because of this rugged terrain, 67% of the land in Sangju is classified as "vacant," unused for agricultural or other purposes.
Namsan
Namsan (Sangju)
Namsan is an 821-meter peak in Sangju City, North Gyeongsang, South Korea....
mountain is located in the city.
Climate
The climate of Sangju is inland. The average annual temperature is between 12°C and 13°C, fluctuating from an August average of 26°C to a chilly January mean of -3°C. The temperature in the mountainous northwest is normally substantially lower. The mean annual rainfall is 1,050 mm.History
Sangju has played an important role in much of Korean historyHistory of Korea
The Korean Peninsula was inhabited from the Lower Paleolithic about 400,000-500,000 years ago. Archeological evidence indicates that the presence of modern humans in northeast Asia dates to 39,000 years ago. The earliest known Korean pottery dates to around 8000 BC, and the Neolithic period began...
. It first emerges after the Silla
Silla
Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
conquest of the area, in which minor states such as Goryeong Gaya
Goryeong Gaya
Goryeong Gaya was one of the lesser chiefdoms of the Gaya confederacy during the Korean Three Kingdoms period. It was centered in present-day Sangju City, North Gyeongsang province, South Korea...
(in Hamchang-eup
Hamchang-eup
Hamchang is an eup in Sangju City, North Gyeongsang province, South Korea. It comprises 30 distinct ri , and has a population of 8,427 . There are two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. Hamchang was once the capital of a small kingdom, Goryeong Gaya...
) and Sabeol-guk (in Sabeol-myeon) were subjugated. The dates at which these conquests occurred are open to dispute, but it is apparent that the area was under firm Silla control by 505, and probably for some time before then.
Under Silla, the fortress of Sangju was one of the nine ju, or provincial administrative units, into which the portions of the kingdom near Gyeongju
Gyeongju
Gyeongju is a coastal city in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. It is the second largest city by area in the province after Andong, covering with a population of 269,343 people according to the 2008 census. Gyeongju is southeast of Seoul, and east of the...
were divided. It played a critical role in regulating traffic along the east-west transit route which connected the Han River
Han River (Korea)
The Han River is a major river in South Korea and the fourth longest river on the Korean peninsula after the Amnok, Duman, and Nakdong rivers. It is formed by the confluence of the Namhan River , which originates in Mount Daedeok, and the Bukhan River , which originates on the slopes of Mount...
valley in the west (which Silla acquired in 553) with Gyeongju area. It would have been the first major city that Buddhist
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
missionaries from Goguryeo
Goguryeo
Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
would have reached when travelling down from Haneuljae
Haneuljae
Haneuljae, also known as Gyerimnyeong is a mountain pass in the Sobaek Mountains of central South Korea. It runs between Chungju city in North Chungcheong province and Mungyeong city in North Gyeongsang province...
Pass in the 6th century.
During the tumultuous decline of Unified Silla
Unified Silla
Unified Silla or Later Silla is the name often applied to the Korean kingdom of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, when it conquered Baekje in 660 and Goguryeo in 668, unifying the southern portion of the Korean peninsula...
in the late 9th century, a number of rebellions occurred in Sangju, as they did throughout the country. Notable among them are the rebellions of Ajagae
Ajagae
Ajagae was a military leader in the Sangju area during the waning years of Unified Silla. He led a local rebellion which seized Sangju. He is remembered today primarily as the father of Gyeon Hwon, the king of Hubaekje. Some Gyeon family lineages therefore claim him as their progenitor, although...
, who seized the fortress of Sangju and declared himself a general, and the Silla noble Bak Eon-chang, who re-established the kingdom of Sabeol-guk in the Sabeol-myeon area until he was overthrown by the Hubaekje
Hubaekje
Hubaekje, or Later Baekje, was one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea, along with Hugoguryeo and Silla. It was officially founded by the disaffected Silla general Gyeon Hwon in 900, and fell to Wanggeon's Goryeo army in 936. Its capital was at Jeonju, in present-day North Jeolla province...
leader Gyeon Hwon
Gyeon Hwon
Gyeon Hwon was the king and founder of Hubaekje, one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea. Some records render his name as "Jin Hwon" . He was also the progenitor of the Hwanggan Gyeon clan...
. Ajagae surrendered to Wanggeon in 918.
In 1895, as part of a general reorganization of local government, Sangju was designated Sangju-gun (Sangju County). In 1914, its boundaries were extended to cover Hamchang County, present-day Hamchang-eup. On January 1, 1986, separate administrative divisions were created for the city center (which was called Sangju City) and the outskirts (which continued to be called Sangju County). On January 1, 1995, the city and county were reunified to create the present-day entity of Sangju City.
Under Japanese occupation, the occupation government made various efforts to modernize local agriculture and resource extraction. The railroad through Sangju was completed in 1924, and around the same time the agricultural-training institution which would become Sangju National University was established.
Government
The legislative and executive branches of Sangju City are headed by officials elected by popular vote. This has been the case across South Korea since 1991, when local representative government was resumed after a thirty-year suspension. Under current South Korean law, elections are held once every four years. The most recent elections were held in June 2002.Legislative
The city councilCity council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
of Sangju is the chief legislative organ of the district. Like the mayor, the members of the city council are elected every four years. The chairman of the Sangju city council is Kim Ki-hwan (김기환). The council which began serving in 2002 is the fourth council to represent the present-day entity of Sangju City; the first was formed from the merger of the pre-existing councils of Sangju City and Sangju County. There are 23 members. One member is elected from each eup, myeon, and dong, except for Jinheung-dong and Dongseong-dong, which share a single representative.
Judicial
The regional court of Sangju oversees local courts in Mungyeong City and Yecheon CountyYecheon County
Yecheon County is a county in the province of North Gyeongsang, South Korea. It is 661 sq. km. in area, and in 2004 had a population of 52,311. It has lost over 2/3 of its inhabitants since the mid 1960s. It consists of twelve administrative districts...
, in addition to Sangju. It reports to the provincial court in Daegu
Daegu
Daegu , also known as Taegu, and officially the Daegu Metropolitan City, is a city in South Korea, the fourth largest after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and the third largest metropolitan area in the country with over 2.5 million residents. The city is the capital and principal city of the...
.
Economy
The economy of Sangju is traditionally agricultural. Agriculture remains an important sector, as 40% of the city's residents are engaged in farming. Sangju has the largest number of farming households of any district in South Korea, and the most agricultural land of any district in North Gyeongsang.The area has been famed for sericulture
Sericulture
Sericulture, or silk farming, is the rearing of silkworms for the production of raw silk.Although there are several commercial species of silkworms, Bombyx mori is the most widely used and intensively studied. According to Confucian texts, the discovery of silk production by B...
(silk production) since Silla times. Currently 243,000 m² of land are engaged in silk production, bringing in about 434 million won annually. In addition, numerous other cash crop
Cash crop
In agriculture, a cash crop is a crop which is grown for profit.The term is used to differentiate from subsistence crops, which are those fed to the producer's own livestock or grown as food for the producer's family...
s are farmed in the area. The most important agricultural product is rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
, in the production of which Sangju is 7th in the country, with 169.13 km² in production yielding 162.9 billion won. Other important products include grape
Grape
A grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...
s, apple
Apple
The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family . It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apple grow on small, deciduous trees that blossom in the spring...
s, pear
Pear
The pear is any of several tree species of genus Pyrus and also the name of the pomaceous fruit of these trees. Several species of pear are valued by humans for their edible fruit, but the fruit of other species is small, hard, and astringent....
s, and cucumber
Cucumber
The cucumber is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae, which includes squash, and in the same genus as the muskmelon. The plant is a creeping vine which bears cylindrical edible fruit when ripe. There are three main varieties of cucumber: "slicing", "pickling", and...
s.
Sangju today is an important regional center of industry and commerce as well, exerting a significant economic effect on neighboring areas. This is facilitated by its strong transit connections (see Transportation, below).
Also, Sangju tries to keep up agaricultural section with some specialized produces such as dried persimmon and fruits raised in high altitude.
Divisions
Sangju is divided into one eup, seventeen myeon, and six dongs. These 24 primary divisions are made up of 361 ri.The lone eup is Hamchang
Hamchang-eup
Hamchang is an eup in Sangju City, North Gyeongsang province, South Korea. It comprises 30 distinct ri , and has a population of 8,427 . There are two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. Hamchang was once the capital of a small kingdom, Goryeong Gaya...
, on the city's northern border with Mungyeong.
From west to east along the city's northern border, the myeon are Hwabuk-myeon, Oiseo-myeon, Euncheok-myeon, and Ian-myeon which adjoins Hamchang-eup. From north to south along the western border are Sabeol-myeon, Jungdong-myeon, and Nakdong-myeon. From east to west along the southern border are Cheongni-myeon, Gongseong-myeon, Modong-myeon, and Moseo-myeon in the southwest corner. Along the he central western border lie Hwadong-myeon and Hwanam-myeon. In addition, the interior of the city includes Hwaseo-myeon, Gonggeom-myeon, Naeseo-myeon and Oinam-myeon.
The dongs are clustered around the city center, and from 1986 to 1995 they made up all of Sangju City (see "History, above). They are Bungmun-dong in the northern part of town, Gyerim-dong in the northeast, Dongmun-dong to the east, Dongseong-dong to the southeast, Sinheung-dong to the south, and Namwon-dong to the west. Namwon-dong is the most populous, with 13,334 registered residents (2002).
Transportation
The Gyeongbuk LineGyeongbuk Line
The Gyeongbuk Line is a railway line serving North Gyeongsang Province in South Korea. The line runs from Gimcheon on the Gyeongbu Line via Sangju, Yeomchon , and Yecheon to Yeongju on the Jungang Line....
railroad runs through Sangju city, connecting to the main Gyeongbu Line
Gyeongbu Line
The Gyeongbu Line is the most important railway line in South Korea and one of the oldest. It was constructed by Japan in 1905, connecting Seoul to Suwon, Daejeon, Daegu, and Busan. The Gyeongbu Line is by far the most heavily travelled rail line in South Korea...
in Gimcheon
Gimcheon
Gimcheon is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is situated on the major land transportation routes between Seoul and Busan, namely the Gyeongbu Expressway and Gyeongbu Line railway.-Administrative divisions:...
. It is thus possible to take passenger trains from Sangju to major southeastern cities such as Daegu and Busan. The Gyeongbuk Line carries both passenger and freight traffic, and provides an important link for people and businesses in the hinterland
Hinterland
The hinterland is the land or district behind a coast or the shoreline of a river. Specifically, by the doctrine of the hinterland, the word is applied to the inland region lying behind a port, claimed by the state that owns the coast. The area from which products are delivered to a port for...
of Sangju. Aside from Sangju Station itself, stations are located in Sabeol-myeon (Baegwon Station), Gonggeom-myeon (Yangjeom Station), and Hamchang-eup (Hamchang Station) north of the city, and Cheongni-myeon (Cheongni Station) and Gongseong-myeon (Oksan Station) to the south.
The Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway
Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway
The Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway is a freeway in South Korea. Numbered 45, it was first constructed in three parts: connecting Yeoju to Chungju and Sangju to Gimcheon and Hyeonpung to Masan. The part of the expressway between Chungju and Sangju was completed at the end of 2004, with the last...
, number 45, runs from north to south through the city and connects Sangju with the national expressway grid. The Sangju interchange is located near the city center, and the North Sangju interchange near Hamchang. An additional expressway, number 30, which will run from west to east, is under construction.
In addition, national highways connect Sangju with many neighboring cities and towns. For example, National Road 3 has served as the traditional artery connecting Sangju with Mungyeong and Chungju
Chungju
Chungju is a city in North Chungcheong province, South Korea. Namsan is a mountain located on the outskirts of the city.The city is famous for the annual martial arts festival held in October. Also of note, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon grew up here....
, and National Road 25 continues to play an important role tying Sangju to its neighbor on the western side of the Sobaek mountains, Boeun County
Boeun County
Boeun County is a county in North Chungcheong Province, South Korea.-History:Boeun, literally "offering gratitude" or "thanksgiving", was named in 1406 by a remorseful King Taejong, who felt relieved that he had cleared his conscience after having participated at a ceremonial ritual at the local...
.
Education
Like the rest of South Korea, Sangju has a three-tiered system of education: elementary, middle, and high. All public schools in the city are overseen by the Sangju Office of Education, which reports to the North Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education. Most preschools (40 altogether) are also administered by the Office of Education, and are attached to elementary schools; however, five registered private preschools also operate in the city. In addition, the Sanghee School, which provides education for the mentally retarded from preschool to high school ages, is located in Namseong-dong in the city center.There are 43 elementary schools in Sangju, including eleven branch schools. There are 17 public middle schools in the city, including two branch schools. Of these, one each is reserved exclusively for male and female students. In addition, there are five private middle schools, of which two are female-only, two male-only, and one coeducational. The city also boasts six private and six public high schools: four of the private and two of the public institutions are gender-segregated. Half of the high schools offer technical training, and half maintain a general academic focus.
Sangju is home to Sangju National University
Sangju National University
Sangju National University is a public university in Gajang-dong, in the city of Sangju, North Gyeongsang province. It has an enrollment of about 4,350 students, and employs about 105 professors. The university places a heavy emphasis on agricultural studies...
, a government-administered institution with a focus on agricultural
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
technology. Many young people of college age leave the area to attend schools in the Seoul National Capital Area
Seoul National Capital Area
The Seoul National Capital Area is a region located in the north-west of South Korea. It is generally referred to as Sudogwon in Korean, and contains three different administrative districts; Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi-do....
or other major cities.
Sister cities
YichunYichun
Yichun can refer to two cities in China:*Yichun, Heilongjiang , city in Heilongjiang province*Yichun, Jiangxi , city in Jiangxi province*Yichun dialect, dialect of the Gan language, spoken in Yichun, Jiangxi...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
Davis
Davis, California
Davis is a city in Yolo County, California, United States. It is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...