Wikipedia

Naju

Naju (Korean: 나주; Korean pronunciation: [na̞.dʑu]) is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea.

Naju
나주
Municipal city
Korean transcription(s)
 • Hangul나주시
 • Hanja羅州市
 • Revised RomanizationNaju-si
 • McCune–ReischauerNaju-si
Flag of Naju
Flag
Official logo of Naju
Emblem of Naju
Anthem: Good Job, Naju!
Location in South Korea
Location in South Korea
Coordinates: 35°02′N 126°43′E / 35.033°N 126.717°E / 35.033; 126.717
Country South Korea
RegionHonam
Administrative divisions1 eup, 12 myeon, 6 dong
Area
 • Total
693.04 km2 (267.58 sq mi)
Population
 (2024-09)
 • Total
116,891[1]
 • Density196.2/km2 (508/sq mi)
 • Dialect
Jeolla

The capital of South Jeolla Province was located at Naju until it was moved to Gwangju in 1895. The name Jeolla Province actually originates from the first character of Jeonju (전; 全) and the first character of Naju (라; 羅; nowadays spelled and pronounced 나/na according to the South Korean standard). Dongshin University is situated in Naju. Naju is famous for the Naju Pear which is a large round pear that forms its district logo.

History

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  • In the Later Three Kingdoms period of Korean history, Wang Geon (later Taejo of Goryeo Dynasty) occupied the Naju area, which was then part of Later Baekje Kingdom and came to become large base of his political support. He also married the daughter of the Magistrate of Naju, Lady Janghwa, who became the mother of Goryeo's second King Hyejong of Goryeo.[2]
  • In 1986, the governmental name was changed from Geumseong to Naju.[3]
  • In 1995, Naju was expanded to include Naju county.[4]

Products

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A well-known local product is the Naju pear, which has long been cultivated along the Yeongsan River.[5]

Naju pears and Oriental melons are popular as gifts for Lunar New Year and other holidays.

Innovation city

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Naju was designated an Innovation City [ko] and the opening ceremony for city construction was held on November 8, 2007. President Roh participated in the opening events.

As the city won the title of "Innovation City", several public organizations have relocated to here from Seoul. Start of the construction was 4th in line after Jeju, Gimcheon and Jinju. The organizations that were the targeted for moving are:[6]

Energy

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IT & Communications

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Agriculture

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Culture & Others

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The new city is set to be 7.327 square kilometres (2.83 sq mi) in area with the grand plan of developing it into a cultural center in the southwestern economy.[7]

Near the Innovation City is the Naju Pear Museum and Pear Orchard for Tourists (나주배박물관 및 배밭 관광체험), which is dedicated to the Asian pear; all of its displays are in Korean.

Notable People

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Jin Hyeon Ju (Stage Name Belle) - member of K-Pop group Cignature and leader of UNIS

Symbols

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Festivals

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International relations

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See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in South Korea

Twin towns and sister cities

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Naju is twinned with:

Culture

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The drama Jumong was filmed in Naju. An amusement park called 'Samhanji Theme Park' was used for the film set because of its traditional sceneries. The 2021 drama Nevertheless also had scenes filmed in Naju.[9][unreliable source?]

It hosts events such as hands-on experience on natural dyeing process for children. Many elementary schools are registering for this program.[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Population Stats - Population - Information - Introduction - Naju".
  2. ^ Establishment of city and county according to Constitution of the Republic of Korea (1981.4.13)
  3. ^ Provisional changes including Guri and 11 cities and counties and permission of modification naming Naju.(1985.12.28.) from Constitution of the Republic of Korea
  4. ^ Institution dealing with complex of city-county.(1994.8.3.)
  5. ^ "Local Specialties - Shopping - Tourism/Shopping - NAJUSI".
  6. ^ 혁신도시 (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  7. ^ 혁신도시 (in Korean). Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
  8. ^ "Nanchang City and Sister Cities Intercommunion". Nanchang Municipal Party Committee of the CPC and Nanchang Municipal Government. Nanchang Economic Information Center. Archived from the original on 2013-05-22. Retrieved 2013-11-05.
  9. ^ "Missing "Nevertheless," Already? Here Are Our 6 Favourite Filming Locations from the Drama You Can Visit". 26 August 2021.
  10. ^ 나주 천연염색문화관 체험현장 '각광' [Experiencing the Naju Natural Dyeing Culture Center is Becoming Popular]. Dailian [ko].co.kr. 13 April 2007.
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