Gongju
Revised RomanizationGongju-si |
| McCune-Reischauer | Kongju-shi |
| Hangul | 공주시 |
| Hanja | 公州市 |
| Short Name | Gongju (Kongju;
공주; 公州) |
| Statistics |
|---|
| Population | |
| Area | |
| Government | Proposed future capital of
South Korea |
| Division of | South Chungcheong |
| Administrative Divisions | ? |
Gongju (Gongju-si) is a city in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea.
History
Gongju was formerly named Ungjin (웅진; 熊津) and was the capital of Baekje from AD 475 to 538, during a period when Baekje was under threat from Goguryeo. As a result, the previous capital of Hanseong (modern-day Seoul) having been overrun.
In 538, King Seong moved the capital to Sabi (in modern-day Buyeo County).
New capital
On August 11, 2004, the South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan announced that the country's capital would be moved from Seoul to Gongju and Yeongi commencing in 2007. A 71 km² (17,540 acre) site has been chosen for the project, which is scheduled to be completed by 2030. It is envisaged that government and administrative functions will be moved to the new capital, along with (possibly) the parliament and supreme court, although no sizable relocation is expected until the first phase of the project is completed by 2012.
The move is intended to reduce Seoul's overcrowding and economic dominance over the rest of South Korea; perhaps not coincidentally, it will also move the government and administration out of range of North Korean artillery fire.
The cost of the project is as yet unclear, with estimates ranging from $45bn to as much as $94bn.
The move has aroused controversy, with opposition parties calling for a referendum to see whether it is endorsed by the population. Some civic groups have also launched a constitutional appeal. Opinion polls have shown that a slight majority of South Koreans are opposed to the move.
See also
