Gwangju

Gwangju, metropolitan city, southwestern South Korea. It has the status of a metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government, with administrative status equal to that of a province. An old city bordering the mountainous area of South Jeolla province, Gwangju is located at the foot of Mount Mudeung, which rises to 3,894 feet (1,187 meters).

The city has been a center of trade and of local administration since the Three Kingdoms period (c. 57 bce–668 ce). Modern industries, including cotton textiles, breweries, and rice mills, began with the building of a railway from Seoul in 1914. During the Korean War (1950–53) Gwangju’s suburbs became a major military training center. From 1967, with the construction of an industrial zone centering on an automobile factory, the city grew rapidly. Developments included storage and processing facilities for agricultural products. Gwangju was the site of an armed uprising against the newly installed military government of Chun Doo-Hwan in May 1980. More than 140 civilians were killed during the suppression of the protest; it is now commemorated with an annual festival held on May 18.

The city is now a consumer and manufacturing center for the southwestern region, and industrial complexes have been established within the city and in the near vicinity. Emerging high-technology industries include information technology and telecommunications.

Gwangju is a transportation junction of southwestern Korea. It connects with Seoul to the north and Busan to the east by air, rail, and road. It has a subway and is served by a domestic airport to the west of downtown and an international airport at Muan, some 20 miles (30 km) to the southwest.

Gwangju is also a center for culture and art. Chosun University (1946), Chonnam National University (1952), and several other institutions of higher education are located there. The city has many historical remains, and there are old temples and tombs in the surrounding hills. Begun in 1995, the Gwangju Biennale has emerged as a venue for the exhibition of contemporary art and for musical and dance performances. Among the city’s other tourist attractions are the Gwangju National Museum, a folk museum, and a kimchi (pickled-vegetable) festival held each October. Guus Hiddink Stadium was the venue for some of the 2002 football (soccer) World Cup championship matches; originally called World Cup Stadium, it was renamed for the national football team’s Dutch coach, who led South Korea to the cup semifinals that year. Area 193 square miles (501 square km). Pop. (2020) 1,477,573.