Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, Yeongnam, South Korea

🇰🇷 Pohang is a city in the province of North Gyeongsang, South Korea, and a main seaport in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region. The built-up area of Pohang is located on the alluvium of the mouth of the Hyeongsan River. The city is divided into two wards, Buk-gu or Northern Ward and Nam-gu or Southern Ward.

This city has the largest population of North Gyeongsang Province and it has the third-largest land area of any city in South Korea.

History The earliest evidence of human occupation in the Pohang area is from the Mumun Pottery Period (1500–300 BC). Archaeologists have unearthed small villages and megalithic burials (dolmen) from this period. Still a small fishing village at the dawn of the 20th century, the earliest steps toward developing Pohang into a place of greater significance were taken in 1930 with the construction of a modern harbour. Pohang grew rapidly afterward, attaining the designation of town (eup) in 1931 and then earning the status of city in 1949.

Pohang's road arteries and shipping port made it a place of strategic significance during the Korean War. An unopposed landing of UN forces at Pohang on July 18, 1950 was the first large-scale amphibious operation since World War II, and the region around Pohang saw fierce clashes between South Korea's 3rd Infantry Division and North Korea's 5th Infantry Division during August–September 1950.

By the 1960s, Pohang was a small coastal city with a population of 50,000. The next major development in Pohang's growth came in 1968 with the inauguration of the steel maker POSCO, and the local plant's commencement of production in 1972. The introduction of heavy industry to the city brought the local economy to a blend of iron, steel, shipbuilding and fisheries through the end of the 20th century.

The early 21st century and the age of globalization has brought new economic challenges to companies such as POSCO, giving rise to beliefs that Pohang would be wise to not be overly reliant on heavy industry to maintain its prosperity. In response, the Pohang of today presents itself as having an eye to the future, striving to become a diversified city of environmentalism and advanced learning, as well as a centre of arts and culture.

During the Silla Dynasty the area was made up of four hyeon, Toehwa-hyeon (퇴화현; 退火縣), Jidap-hyeon (지답현; 只沓縣), Geunoji-hyeon (근오지현; 斤烏支縣), Haea-hyeon (해아현; 海阿縣). Then during the Goryeo Dynasty these four were renamed to Heunghae-gun (흥해군/興海郡), Janggi-hyeon (장기현; 長鬐縣), Yeongil-hyeon (영일현; 迎日縣), Cheongha-hyeon (청하현; 淸河縣) respectively.

On 4 August 1896, the three remaining hyeon, which at that time were Janggi, Yeonil (연일; 延日; originally Yeongil) and Cheongha were reassigned as counties or gun as part of the change to the 13-province division of the Korean Empire.

On 1 March 1914, the four counties were unified as one Yeongil-gun (영일군; 迎日郡), which was subdivided into 18 myeons.

On 1 April 1931, Pohang-myeon (포항면; 浦項面) was designated as an eup, thus giving Yeongil-gun 1 eup and 17 myeon.

On 1 April 1934, Jukbuk-myeon (죽북면; 竹北面) and Juknam-myeon (죽남면; 竹南面) were united to make Jukjang-myeon (죽장면; 竹長面), while Janggi-myeon (장기면; 長鬐面) and Bongsan-myeon (봉산면; 峰山面) united to make Jihaeng-myeon (지행면; 只杏面), so that there were 1 eup and 15 myeon.

On 1 October 1938, Hyeongsan-myeon (형산면; 兄山面) was incorporated into Pohang-eup, leaving Yeongil-gun with 1 eup and 14 myeon.

On 1 October 1942 Changju-myeon (창주면; 滄洲面) was renamed and reclassified as Guryongpo-eup (구룡포읍/九龍浦邑), leaving 2 eup and 13 myeon.

On 15 August 1949, Pohang-eup was designated as Pohang-si (포항시; 浦項市), leaving Yeongil with 1 si, 1 eup, 13 myeon and 1 local office.

On 8 July 1956, Heunghae-myeon (흥해면; 興海面) and Gokgang-myeon (곡강면; 曲江面) are incorporated into Uichang-myeon (의창면; 義昌面) leaving 1 si, 1 eup and 12 myeon.

On 29 October 1957, Daljeon-myeon (달전면; 達田面) is abolished and incorporated into Heunghae-myeon and Yeonil-myeon (연일면; 延日面) leaving 1 si, 1 eup and 11 myeons.

On 1 March 1967, the Gibuk Local Office (기북출장소; 杞北出張所) of Gigye-myeon (기계면/杞溪面) is established.

On 1 July 1973, Uichang-myeon is designated as Uichang-eup (의창읍; 義昌邑) leaving 1 si, 2 eup, 10 myeon and 3 local offices.

On 1 December 1980, Yeonil-myeon and Ocheon-myeon (오천면; 烏川面) are both designated as eup leaving 1 si, 4 eup, 8 myeon and 3 local offices.

On 1 September 1982, Haedo-dong (해도동; 海島洞) and Sangdae-dong (상대동; 上大洞) are separated into Haedo 1 and 2-dong and Sangdae 1 and 2-dong respectively.

On 1 April 1986, Daebo Local Office (대보출장소; 大甫出張所) and Gibuk Local Office are designated as myeon leaving 1 si, 4 eup, 10 myeon and 1 local office.

On 1 January 1995, a united Pohang-si absorbs all of Yeongil-gun, composed of 1 si, 2 gu, 4 eup, 10 myeon, 25 dong and 1 local office.

On 1 September 1998, the unification of Small-dong left Pohang with 1 si, 2 gu, 4 eup, 10 myeon, 19 dong and 1 local office.

On 1 January 2009, the unification of Small-dong left Pohang with 1 si, 2 gu, 4 eup, 10 myeon, 15 dong and 1 local office.

Retail The main downtown shopping area is between Yukgeori (육거리) and Ogeori (오거리) which translate to 6-way intersection and 5-way intersection. The streamlet boardwalk shopping area opens and ends with Pohang Station and Yukgeori, respectively. This shopping area has several stores, restaurants, and a few bars including Converse, Shoemarker, Skin Food, ABC Mart, Redface, The North Face, a cinema, Starbucks, Mr. Pizza, Whistler Bar, Beethoven Bar, Mindy's Bar, etc.

Groceries Pohang has a few major grocer stores including two Home Plus locations, two GS Supermarkets, and two E-marts. One Home Plus is by the Shiwae bus terminal and the other is closer to Jukdo Market. Jukdo market is an open market where you can purchase clothes, fish, produce, and a plethora of items. The one GS supermarket is in Jukdo-dong whereas the other is in Duho-dong. E-marts are located in I-dong and in Indeok-dong.

Administrative divisions Pohang is divided into 2 non-autonomous districts, which in turn is divided into 4 eup, 10 myeon and 15 dong.

Transportation The city is served by several trains a day from Seoul and Daegu. Pohang is the terminus for a number of ferry routes serving the adjacent Sea of Japan, including the main tourist route for Ulleung Island and Liancourt Rocks. Pohang is the home of POSCO (the Pohang Steel Company), one of the largest steel producers in the world, and a host of related industries. As a result, the port shipped a total of 54.8 million tons in 2006.

Several flights per day to Seoul Gimpo Airport and Jeju Airport are available at Pohang Gyeongju Airport.

Local transportation is served by only city buses. They run about 20 different ways of the city and some of them reach to the mountain folk. Also, the buses are classified into 2 kinds – one is Ilban-bus (normal bus) and the other is Jwaseok-bus (full of seats and a little more expensive than Ilban-bus). They run 15~25 minutes intervals along their own way. The bus routes are listed in both Korean and English but the Korean version is interactive, and thus more helpful.

There are two main bus terminals - Shiwae (시외) and Gosok (고속) which roughly translate into intercity/city and express. The Shiwae bus terminal (시외버스터미널) also acts as the cross-country bus terminal from which access to nearby metropolitan cities such as Daegu and Busan (~1.5 hrs each depending on traffic) is available. Their website is only in Korean and only accessible in Internet Explorer. The Gosok bus terminal (고속버스터미널) website is in both English and Korean. From Gosok bus terminal one can travel to Seoul, Gwangju, and Daejeon.

Pohang is also serviced by two train stations - Pohang station (포항역) and Wolpo station (월포역). Times and destinations are available on the Korail website which is in English and Korean.

Passengers using the KTX had to go to Gyeongju Station (경주역) until 2015. However, since 2015, the KTX travels directly to Pohang Station (포항역).

Universities with graduate schools • Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) • Handong Global University.

Other institutes of higher education • Pohang College • Sunlin College.

Health There are some hospitals to treat people; two types of hospitals exist: public, and private. Public hospitals are run by the government, and supported by the government. Conversely, private hospitals are managed by the individuals. For example, S Pohang hospital is sponsored by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security which means it is supported by the government. They provide the treatments of brain disease, and spine disease.

Culture Thousands flock to see the fireworks festival at Yeongildae Beach each summer. People travel from all over the country to watch the show. The Culture & Arts Center, opened in 1995, holds performances and exhibitions in its various galleries and theaters. Pohang is known for gwamegi and holds an annual Gwamegi Festival. Gwamegi Festival is available on November annually. In 2015, the festival invited individuals from different ages. Numerous people can enjoy the festival, and the festival is sponsored by banks such as Suhyeop, Nonghyeop, Shinhan, and POSCO. During the festival, it is available to experience the old traditional Korean culture such as competing with person who sell Yeot. Furthermore, many singers from various places including Philippines are invited to demonstrate their talent to people. In this place, Guryongpo, it is possible to try Gwamegi, Pidegi which is dried squid, and big crabs).

Museums • Guryongpo Gwamegi Culture Museum • Guryongpo Modern History Museum • The National Lighthouse Museum • Yeongil Folk History Museum • The Posco Museum • Pohang Museum Of Steel Art • Pohang Canal PR Hall • Robo Life Museum.

Monuments • Sabang Memorial Park • Saemaul Memorial Hall • New Millennium Memorial Hall.

Villages • Deokdong Culture Village • Duksil Village • Sangok-ri.

Experiences • Botanical Garden of Gyeongsangbukdo • Yeonorang Seonyeo Theme Park • Key-Chungsan Botanical Garden • Yeongilman Cruise • Pohang Ship Experience.

Other important spots • Posco • Pohang Accelerator Laboratory • Korea Institute of Robotics & Technology Convergence.

Historical • Bogyeongsa Temple • Oeosa Temple.

Sports The city is home to the Pohang Steelers of K League 1. Also, there is the Pohang Baseball Stadium, which Samsung Lions belonging to KBO League is using as the second stadium.

Points of interest The Jukdo Market is a large, bustling traditional market near the centre of the city, close to the port. It is well known throughout Korea as an important seafood market. There are many raw-fish restaurants in the market. The fish is cheaper here than in Seoul or Daegu.

Bukbu Beach is located in Duho-dong in the northern part of the city's built-up area. The beach front has been the focus of commercial developments such as bars, restaurants, and budget accommodations called Yeogwan. A number of beaches on the Sea of Japan can be found just north of the built-up area, including Chilpo and Wolpo.

Homigot, a point of land jutting out into the Sea of Japan, is located to the east of urban Pohang in Daebo-myeon. Homigot is one of the easternmost points on the Korean peninsula and as such serves every year as a gathering place for thousands to greet Korea's first sunrise of the New Year. The beach is also home to the 'Hands of Harmony' sculpture.

Bogyeongsa is a major Buddhist temple nestled in a steep green valley at the foot of Mount Naeyeon (710 m) in Songna-myeon, an area in the extreme northern part of Pohang. Yeonsan Waterfall is located nearby in the same mountain valley. There are hiking trails leading from the temple up into the mountains. Bogyeongsa also has a number of mountain hermitages in the vicinity.

Oeosa is a temple located in the extreme southern part of Pohang, just inside the mountains south of the coastal plain formed by the Naengcheon River. It is located at the foot of Mt. Unjae (481 m) in a steep valley in Daesong-myeon. Signs placed in and around Oeosa claim that the temple was founded by Wonhyo, the well-travelled Silla monk.