Gwangju

Gwangju (also spelled Kwangju, 광주광역시, 光州廣域市) is a city in the South Jeolla province in South Korea of which it is the capital. It is a designated special city under the direct control of the home minister.

The city has been established a long time ago and has been a centre of trade ever since. It was the administrative centre of the Three Kingdoms of Korea about 57 BC

With the construction of a railway to Seoul in 1914 modern industry was established. This includes cotton textiles, rice mills and breweries. With the construction of a designated industrial zone in 1967 industry in Gwangju grew markedly, especially owing to the automobile industry.

In May 1980 civil demonstrations against the newly installed government of Chun Doo Hwan took place in Gwangju. The demonstrations were suppressed by military forces, including elite units of the Special Operations Command. Most commentators agree that the suppression was characterized by its egregious brutality, including several incidents where military forces fired automatic weapons into crowds of unarmed demonstrators. At least 200 civilians are known to have died.

Choson University was established in 1946 and there are several colleges in the city. There are several old temples in and around the city.

Population: 1,100,000 (1990, estimate)

Administrative divisions:

1. Buk-gu (북구; 北區)
2. Dong-gu (동구; 東區)
3. Gwangsan-gu (광산구; 光山區)
4. Nam-gu (남구; ; 南區)
   1. Baekun-dong (백운동; 白雲洞)
   2. Bangrim-dong (방림동; 芳林洞)
   3. Bongseon-dong (봉선동; 鳳仙洞)
   4. Chilseok-dong (칠석동; 漆石洞)
   5. Chon-dong (촌동)
   6. Daeji-dong (대지동; 大支洞)
   7. Deoknam-dong (덕남동; 德南洞)
   8. Dogeum-dong (도금동)
   9. Gu-dong (구동; 龜洞)
   10. Guso-dong (구소동; 九沼洞)
   11. Haengam-dong (행암동; 杏岩洞)
   12. Hwajang-dong (화장동; 禾場洞)
   13. Ijang-dong (이장동; 泥場洞)
   14. Imam-dong (임암동; 林岩洞)
   15. Jinwol-dong (진월동; 眞月洞)
   16. Jiseok-dong (지석동; 支石洞)
   17. Juwol-dong (주월동; 珠月洞)
   18. Nodae-dong (노대동; 老大洞)
   19. Sa-dong (사동)
   20. Seo-dong (서동; 書洞)
   21. Sinjang-dong (신장동; 新場洞)
   22. Songha-dong (송하동; 松下洞)
   23. Wolsan-dong (월산동; 月山洞)
   24. Wolseong-dong (월성동; 月城洞)
   25. Wonsan-dong (원산동; 元山洞)
   26. Yangchon-dong (양촌동; 良村洞)
   27. Yanggwa-dong (양과동; 良瓜洞)
   28. Yangrim-dong (양림동; 楊林洞)
5. Seo-gu (서구; 西區)
   1. Byeokjin-dong (벽진동; 碧津洞)
   2. Chipyeong-dong (치평동; 治平洞)
   3. Deokhong-dong (덕홍동)
   4. Geumho-dong (금호동; 金湖洞)
   5. Gwangcheon-dong (광천동; 光川洞)
   6. Hwajeong-dong (화정동; 花井洞)
   7. Maewol-dong (매월동; 梅月洞)
   8. Mareuk-dong (마륵동; 馬勒洞)
   9. Naebang-dong (내방동; 內防洞)
   10. Nongseong-dong (농성동; 農城洞)
   11. Pongam-dong (퐁암동)
   12. Seha-dong (세하동; 細荷洞)
   13. Seochang-dong (서창동; 西倉洞)
   14. Ssangchon-dong (쌍촌동; 雙村洞)
   15. Yang-dong (양동; 良洞)
   16. Yongdu-dong (용두동; 龍頭洞)
   17. Yuchon-dong (유촌동; 柳村洞)