/Jeonbuk Browsing/
Gunsan, History of Struggle in Jeonbuk
Kwon Jong-hwan & Lee Jiwoo Reporters
What do you think of when you heard “Gunsan”? It is up and coming tourist attraction. If you travel with some information and knack from this article, your destination would look much deeper!
Gunsan
Gunsan is located in left corner of Jeonbuk, right by the west sea. It was the center of exploitation of Korea in Japanese occupation. By the time opening of Gunsan port in 1899 there was only 77 Japanese in Gunsan. However, 1225 Japanese lived Gunsan in 1903, even in year of 1919 Japanese people outnumbered Koreans in Gunsan. People of Gunsan was treated contemptuously by Japanese, therefore they have strong combat mentality toward Japan.
Since tourist destination is gathered in old downtown area and you can borrow bicycles by walking for five minutes from bus terminal, it is both cheap and easy to collect stamps without help of car or public transportation.
Gunsan 3.1 Independence Movement Memorial
After riding about twenty minutes form bus terminal, we arrived at strange red brick building reminds buildings of Europe.
You can say “March 1st Independence Movement was held in Seoul! Why its memorial is in Gunsan?” However, Gunsan is related with another movement. In the same year when March 1st Independence Movement was occurred, former student of Gunsan Yeong-myeong School got the Declaration of Independence from one of 33 Korean leaders. His name was Kim Byeong-su and he returned to Gunsan and plan similar movement in teachers and students of Yeong-myeong School.
It was originally plan to happen in March sixth when local market will hold, however Japanese officer arrested some teachers of the school therefore they cannot wait any longer and occur one day earlier than plan. This movement is called ‘The March 5th Movement’. It was the first 3.1 movement in all Jeonbuk. March 5th Movement became fuse for independence movement in Jeolla-do regions including Jeonju, Gwangju, Mokpo, and Iksan.
Location: 334 Guam-dong, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do
Admission Fee: 500₩ (Adults)
Operating Hours: all week except Monday 09:00-18:00 (09:00-17:00 in November to February) close on New Year’s Day, Korean New Year's Day, and Korean Thanksgiving Day.
Website: http://samiljeol.sibizi.me/
Stamp tour
A stamp tour is done by collecting stamps, while traveling to selected tourist sites around the city of Gunsan. A total of five courses were developed by the city of Gunsan in 2019, which is designed to allow them to experience different attractions of Gunsan, according to traveler preferences. Among them, the Arirang course is named after Jo Jung-rae's novel "Arirang," set in Gunsan.
1. Main Worship Hall in Dongguksa Temple
Main Worship Hall in Dongguksa Temple is #64 on the Korean registry of cultural assets. It is also the only registered cultural asset in Korea that maintains its original religious function. The name Dongguk means a “temple of the Republic of Korea”. Dongguksa Temple was built in order for Japanese monks to conduct missionary in Gunsan, including Uchida. The building materials for the Main Worship Hall were brought in from Japan and were used in the construction of the Japanese Edo-era style of architecture. The back of the temple is decorated with a bamboo forests and small gardens. The statue of a girl is located on the left side of the Main Worship Hall.
2. Japanese-style House in Shinheung-dong
A Japanese-style House in Shinheung-dong is a two-story wooden house built in Gunsan 1935, during the Japanese occupation. It was built by a Japanese politician named Hirotsu, who ran a wood shop and a small farm. On June 18, 2005, the name of this structure was changed to, “A Japanese-style House in Shinheung-dong, named after the era of its construction and location of the building. All the building materials came from Japan and took three years to build. The floor of the house is characterized by a combination of Korean-style Ondol and Japanese-style Tatami. It is a famous place for the filming of the movie, ‘Janggunui Adeul (General’s Son)’ and ‘Tazza (The high Rollers)’.
3.Gunsan Modern History Museum
The Gunsan Modern History Museum is a museum showcasing with the theme of Gunsan's modern and maritime culture and maritime culture. It is a place where visitors can learn about the history and culture of Gunsan. Gunsan is a representative maritime city of Jeonbuk. Using these geographical features, the museum displays artifacts and materials relating to various marine activities. In particular, it is organized to highlight the past of Gunsan, which was the center of logistical distribution, and to gain insight into the present and future.
Conclusion
After collecting all the stamps, you'll get a prize. Prizes can only be received at the Chowon Studio or at the Gyeong-am Railroad Village Tourist Information Center. The prizes for completing the Arirang course are candles, magnets, and aromatic agents. After completing the well-made course, you will feel more familiar with Gunsan will feel closer and start will want to return to see more.
1. Main Worship Hall in Dongguksa Temple
Address: 16, Dongguksa-gil, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do, Korea
Available time: 10:00-18:00
Contact: 063-454-3267
2. Japanese-style House in Shinheung-dong
Address: 17, Guyeong 1-gil, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do, Korea
Available time: 10:00 - 18:00 (Apply Closing: 20 minutes before the deadline)
Contact:063-454-3267
3. Gunsan Modern History Museum
Address: 240, Haemang-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do, Korea
Available time: 09:00 - 21:00 (entry closing 20:30)
Contact: 063-454-7872
Website: http://museum.gunsan.go.kr/index.jsp
4.Rose Gallery
Address:232, Haemang-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do, Korea
Available time: 10:00-17:00
Contact: 063-445-9813
5.Old Gunsan Custom’s Office
Address: 244-7, Haemang-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do, Korea
Available time: 10:00-17:00
Contact: 063-454-3267
6. Gunsan Modern Art Museum
Address: 230, Haemang-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do, Korea
Available time: 10:00-21:00 Apply Closing: 30 minutes before the deadline)
Contact: 063-454-3267
7. Gunsan Modern Architecture Museum
Address: 214, Haemang-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do, Korea
Available time: 09:00-21:00
Contact: 063-454-3267
8. Chowon Studio
Address: 12-1, Guyeong 2-gil, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do, Korea
Available time: 09:00 ~21:00
Contact: 063-446-5114
9. Old Japanese warehouse
Address: 214 23, Naehang 1-gil, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do, Korea
Contact: 063-454-3267