Yeosu


Yeosu is a city located on the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula in South Jeolla Province, South Korea and comprises the Old Yeosu City, founded in 1949, Yeocheon City, founded in 1986, and Yeocheon County which were merged into the current Yeosu city in 1998.

Characteristics

The city of Yeosu consists of the Yeosu peninsula as well as 317 islands. Being midway along the southern coast of South Korea, it is flanked by Namhae County in South Gyeongsang Province to the east with a natural waterway, and the Bay of Suncheon to the west and northwest, the city of Suncheon sprawling along its banks. The city has three different city halls. On 1 April 1998, the cities of Yeosu and Yeocheon, along with Yeocheon County merged to form the unified city of Yeosu.
Thanks to the sea wind and warm current, Yeosu has cool summers and mild winters. Its ocean climate also brings Yeosu relatively longer springs and autumns than other regions.
Yeosu is a city of history and loyalty where the headquarters of South Jeolla Province Navy Base was located, and the Great Admiral Yi Sun Shin improved upon the geobukseon to save the country while serving as the commander of the navy.
Due to its appeal as an international ocean resort and tourist city, as well as its close proximity to the Yeocheon Industrial Complex, Yeosu has seen much development during the past several decades.
In the 142nd General Assembly of BIE, held in Paris on 26 November 2007, the global community selected Yeosu as the host city for the 2012 World Expo. This expo is Korea's second, following Daejeon's 1993 Fair.

History

Wonchon-hyeon/Dolsan-hyeon was the name given to Yeosu in the 16th year of King Seong who was the king of Baekje Kingdom. The name changed to Haeub-hyeon/Yeosan-hyeon in 757 and to Yeosu-hyeon/Dolsan-hyeon in 940. Beginning in 1479, the Joseon Dynasty's Naval Headquarters for eastern sector of Jeolla Province was located there. As such, it was the first base where Admiral Yi Sun-sin's fleet was based during the Imjin War which used the Turtle Ship or 'Kobukseon' which was built in Seon-so.
In 1897, Yeosu was renamed Yeosu-myeon and included in the new county of Yeosu-gun. In 1914, Yeosu-gun merged with Dolsan-gun, further increasing its territory. Yeosu-myeon continued to grow and in 1931, Yeosu-myeon became Yeosu-eup. In 1949, Yeosu became a city. In 1998, Yeosu city merged with Yeochon city and Yeochon-gun, creating the unified city of Yeosu.

Yeosu Rebellion

In October 1948, the town of Yeosu was taken by South Korean soldiers who refused to take part in the suppression of the ongoing Jeju Uprising.

Attractions

, or marinated raw crab is a representative speciality of Yeosu and a traditional Jeolla cuisine dish.
Dolsan 'gat kimchi' is also a speciality of Yeosu.

Population

Yeosu has a population of 282,946 as of May 2019.

Climate

Yeosu has a humid subtropical climate with very warm summers and cold winters. Rainfall is much heavier in the summer, with June to August recording over of rainfall per month. The highest temperature ever recorded is on 20 July 1994 while the lowest temperature ever recorded is on 16 February 1977.

Sister cities