Republic of Korea Armed Forces

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Republic of Korea Armed Forces 대한민국 국군 (大韓民國國軍)
Founded	August 15, 1948
Service branches	Republic of Korea Army Republic of Korea Navy Republic of Korea Air Force
Headquarters	Seoul
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief	Lee Myung-bak, President of the Republic of Korea ex officio
Minister of National Defense	Kim Kwan-jin
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff	General Jeong Seung-jo, ROKA
Manpower
Military age	Mandatory 19 to 35 years of age for male, wartime conscription 18–45 years of age
Conscription	21–24 months depending on the branch
Available for military service	12,483,677 (2005 est.), age 15–49
Reaching military age annually	344,943 (2005 est.)
Active personnel	653,000 (2010) (ranked 6th)
Reserve personnel	3,200,000 (2010)
Deployed personnel	14 nations, 17 locations 1,453 troops total List of major deployment  Afghanistan - 350  Haiti - 238  Lebanon - 359  Somalia - 305  United Arab Emirates - 147
Expenditures
Budget	₩29.5 trillion (2010) excluding ₩1.68 trillion given by Korea to United States Forces Korea
Percent of GDP	2.62%
Industry
Domestic suppliers	List of major suppliers Daewoo Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering S&T Daewoo Doosan Doosan DST Hanjin Hanwha Hyundai Hyundai Rotem Korea Aerospace Industries Poongsan Samsung Samsung Techwin Samsung Thales World Industries Ace
Foreign suppliers	List of major suppliers  Canada  European Union  France  Germany  Italy  Netherlands  United Kingdom  Israel  Russia  United States
Related articles
History	Korean War (1950-ongoing) Vietnam War (1964-1973) Gulf War (1991) War on Terrorism (2001-ongoing)
Ranks	Military ranks of South Korea Comparative military ranks of Korea

The Republic of Korea Armed Forces (hangul: 대한민국 국군; hanja: 大韓民國國軍; Revised Romanization: Daehanminguk Gukgun) or ROK Armed Forces, is the armed forces of the Republic of Korea. It consists of the following branches:

• Republic of Korea Army (대한민국 육군; 大韓民國陸軍: Daehanminguk Yukgun)
• Republic of Korea Navy (대한민국 해군; 大韓民國海軍;Daehanminguk Haegun)
  • Republic of Korea Marine Corps (대한민국 해병대; 大韓民國海兵隊;Daehanminguk Haebyeongdae)
• Republic of Korea Air Force (대한민국 공군; 大韓民國空軍; Daehanminguk Gonggun)

And:

• Republic of Korea Reserve Forces (대한민국 예비군; 大韓民國豫備軍; Daehanminguk Yebigun)

Created in 1948, following the division of the Korean Peninsula, the Republic of Korea Armed Forces is one of the largest standing armed forces in the world with a reported personnel strength of 3,853,000 in 2010 (653,000 active force and 3,200,000 regular reserve). The ROK military forces are undergoing rapid modernization in preparation for assuming wartime operational control by 2015. Several cutting-edge military systems are currently being inducted.
The ROK military forces are responsible for maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the republic, but often engage in humanitarian and disaster-relief efforts nationwide. More recently the ROK military began increasing its participation in international affairs, acknowledging its role and responsibility as the fifteenth economic power in the world in terms of GDP. The ROK military has participated in various peacekeeping operations, and counter-terrorism operations.

History

The South Korean armed forces were largely constabulary forces until the outbreak of the Korean War. It was heavily damaged by North Korean and Chinese attacks and in the beginning relied almost entirely on American support for weapons, ammunition and technology.
During South Korea's period of rapid growth, the military expanded accordingly, benefiting from several government-sponsored technology transfer projects and indigenous defense capability initiatives. Modernization efforts for the ROK military have been in place since the 1980s. The GlobalSecurity.org website states that "in 1990 South Korean industries provided about 70 percent of the weapons, ammunition, communications and other types of equipment, vehicles, clothing, and other supplies needed by the military."
Today, the South Korean armed forces enjoys of a good mix of avant-garde as well as older conventional weapons. Korea has one of the highest defense budgets in the world, regularly making the list of top fifteen (as of 2008) (see List of countries by military expenditures). Its capabilities include many sophisticated American and European weapon systems, complemented by a growing and increasingly more advanced indigenous defense manufacturing sector. For example, by taking advantage of the strong local shipbuilding industry, the ROK Navy has embarked on a rigorous modernization plan with ambitions to become a blue-water navy by 2020.
South Korea has a joint military partnership with the United States as outlined by the Mutual Defense Treaty signed after the Korean War. During the outbreak of the Vietnam War, South Korean Army and Marines were among those fighting alongside South Vietnam and the United States. More recently, South Korea also takes part in regional as well as pan-Pacific national military wargames and exercises such as RIMPAC and RSOI.
Among other components of the armed forces is the Defence Security Command, originally the Army Counter-Intelligence Corps, which had a major role in monitoring the military's loyalty during the period of military rule in South Korea.
Hazing and harassment have reportedly been a continuous problem in all branches of the ROK military. In 2005 an Army soldier who said he had been abused shot and killed eight of his fellow soldiers. In 2008, a soldier threw a grenade at other sleeping soldiers, injuring five. In 2011, a marine who had been abused killed four of his comrades on Ganghwa Island. Eighty-two military personnel committed suicide in 2010. From 2009-2010, 940 marines were hospitalized after being abused.

Structure

National Command Authority

The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces ex officio. The military authority runs from the President to the Minister of Defense, who is commonly (but not legally bound to be) a retired 4-star General or Admiral.
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a 4-star General or Admiral, is the Senior Officer of the Armed Forces and has the Operational Authority over the Armed Forces, with directions from the President through the Minister of Defense. Traditionally (with one exception), the position is filled by an officer of the Army. The chain of Operational Authority runs straight from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Commandants of the several Operational Commands. Currently there are five Operational Commands in the Army, two in the Navy (including the Marine Corps) and one in the Air Force.
The respective Chiefs of Staff of each Service Branch (Army, Navy, Air Force) has administrative control over his or her own service. Each Chief of Staff is also a standing member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Joint Chiefs of Staff

Main article: Joint Chiefs of Staff (Republic of Korea)

Headquarters Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff (Hangul: 대한민국 합동참모본부, Hanja: 大韓民國 合同參謀本部) is a group of Chiefs from each major branch of the armed services in the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. Unlike his/her United States counterpart, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has Operational Control over all military personnel of the Armed Forces.
All regular members are 4-star Generals or Admirals, although the Deputy Chairman sometimes has only 3 stars.

Army

Main article: Republic of Korea Army

The ROK Army (ROKA)—the sixth largest army in the world—is by far the largest of the military branches, with 522,000 effectives as of 2008. This comes as a response to both the mountainous terrain native to the Korean Peninsula (70% mountainous) as well as the heavy North Korean presence, with its 1 million strong army, two-thirds of which is permanently garrisoned in the frontline near the DMZ.
The current administration has initiated a program of self-defense, whereby South Korea would be able to fully counter the North Korean threat with purely domestic means within the next two decades.
The ROK Army was formerly organized into three armies: the First Army (FROKA), Second Army (SROKA), and Third Army (TROKA), each with its own headquarters, corps, and divisions. The Third Army was responsible for the defense of the capital as well as the western section of the DMZ. The First Army was responsible for the defense of the eastern section of the DMZ whereas the SROKA formed the rearguard.
Under a restructuring plan aimed at reducing redundancy, the First and Third Armies will be incorporated into the newly formed First Operations Command, whereas the Second ROK Army has been converted into the Second Operations Command.
The army consists of the Army Headquarters, the Aviation Command, and the Special Warfare Command, with 11 corps, 49 divisions, and 19 brigades, some 522,000 troops and estimated as many as 5,850 tanks and armored vehicles, 11,337 artillery systems, 7,032 missile defense systems and 13,000 infantry support systems.
Tanks of the ROK Army include the older M48 Patton series, as well as the more recent K1, K1A1 which bear a 120 mm smooth-bore gun and are of local manufacture, and Russian-built T-80U. The ROK Army has 2,872 tanks, including 1,524 K1 and K1A1 tanks.
The future replacement for the K1 MBT has been baptized the K2 Black Panther (Korean: 흑표), which will be fitted with a 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) water-cooled Diesel engine, 120 mm/L55 main gun, and coaxial machine guns. The new tank will also feature radar equipment as well as all-bearing laser detection system and reactive armor comparable to the American M1A2 and French Leclerc.
In addition, South Korea already manufactures the indigenous K-9 Thunder howitzers, which have been exported to Turkey, as well as the K200 series KIFVs which saw action in UN peacekeeping operations as part of the Malaysian peacekeeping forces. A variation of the K200, the KAFV, can be retrofitted to bear a 90 mm barrel or 40 mm grenade turret or M230-1 chain gun or MK-30 30 mm chain gun turret.
Also a replacement for the South Korean K200 series infantry fighting vehicles are currently being tested, designated as K21 (Korea Next-generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle). The initial production is set for 2008, with the ROKA planning to field approximately 466 units until 2015.
The K21 KNIFV's chassis will be constructed entirely out of fiberglass, reducing the vehicle's load and enabling it to travel at higher speeds without bulky and powerful engines. When constructed, the NIFV will be lighter than other IFVs, including the American Bradley series and Russian BMP series, increasing both speed and payload.
The ROK Army also fields the mobile K-SAM Pegasus (Korean: 천마), fitted with 8 missiles that fly at maximum speeds of mach 2.6, and the K30 Biho (Korean: 비호) series, which feature a 30 mm twin gun system for self-propelled anti-aerial fire support.
Besides having vehicles of their own design as well as American models, the ROK Army also has several Russian-built AFVs, including BMP-3 IFVs and T-80U MBTs. Although they are in active service with the Army, most of them were purchased in order to experiment their technology to be fitted with the ROK's XK2 MBT, such as the Explosive Reactive Armor blocks mounted on several Russian armored vehicles. However, the ROK Army is continuing their purchase of Russian equipment, as their recent addition of two BMP-3U IFVs hints. Other notable foreign equipment in service with the ROK Army includes the TOW ATGM launchers and Mistral MANPADS.

Navy

Main article: Republic of Korea Navy

ROKS Munmu the Great (DDH 976).

The ROK Navy (ROKN) is the armed forces branch responsible for conducting naval operations and amphibious landing operations. As a part of its mission, the ROK Navy has engaged in several peacekeeping operations since the turn of the century.
The ROK Navy includes the Republic of Korea Navy Headquarters, Republic of Korea Fleet, Naval Logistics Command, Naval Education and Training Command, Naval Academy, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps, which is a quasi-autonomous organization. The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) is the highest-ranking officer (four-star admiral) of the ROK Navy.
The ROK Navy had about 68,000 regular personnel including the 27,000 Republic of Korea Marine Corps personnel as of 2008. There are some 170 commissioned ships (total displacement of approx. 153,000 tons) in the ROK Navy, including approximately 10 submarines, 80 patrol craft and 20 auxiliaries as of October 2007. The naval aviation forces consist of about 10 fixed-wing and 50 rotary-wing aircraft. The Marine Corps operates about 400 tracked vehicles including self-propelled artillery.
In 1995, Admiral An Pyongtae, the 20th Chief of Naval Operations, presented the vision of building a "blue ocean navy" for the future of the ROK Navy in his inaugural address. In 2001, then President Kim Dae-jung announced a plan for building up a Strategic Mobile Fleet. As a part of "Defense Reform 2020," which was proposed by the Roh Moo-hyun Administration, the ROK Navy is required to reform the organizations under Commander-in-Chief Republic of Korea Fleet (CINCROKFLT) by upgrading a submarine operations command (to fleet submarine force), a naval aviation operations command (to fleet air arm), and by establishing some Mobile Flotillas.The ROK Navy aims to become a blue-water navy by 2020.
In the first decade of the 21st century, the ROK Navy launched the lead ships of newly developed types: in 2002, ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sunshin (DDH 975), a 4,500-ton destroyer, was launched; in 2005, the 14,000-ton amphibious landing ship, ROKS Dokdo (LPH 6111) was launched; in 2006, the ROK Navy launched the Sohn Won-yil (SS 072), an 1,800-ton Type 214 submarine with Air-Independent propulsion (AIP) system. In 2007, the ROK Navy launched the lead ship (DDG 991) of the King Sejong the Great class destroyer, built around the Aegis combat system and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar. The ROK Navy is undertaking several shipbuilding projects: Korean Destroyer Experimental (KDX) program, Frigate Experimental (FFX), Landing Platform Experimental (LPX), Patrol Killer Experimental (PKX), and Korean Submarine (KSS) program.
The ROK Navy hosted its second international fleet review off coast of Busan in October 2008.

Air Force

Main article: Republic of Korea Air Force

The ROK Air Force (ROKAF) is a modern air force, which fields some 600+ combat aircraft of American design. In contrast, the North Korean Army has roughly 1,600–1,700 aircraft, but mostly obsolete types of Soviet and Chinese origin.
Korea began a program for the development of indigenous jet trainers beginning in 1997. This project eventually culminated in the KAI T-50, dubbed the "Golden Eagle" which is used as a trainer for jet pilots, now being exported to Indonesia. An armed version of the T-50 is the modified A-50, which can be fitted with free-fall or precision missiles such as the AGM-65 Maverick.
South Korea maintains a modern air force in order to defend itself from various modes of threats, including the North Korean Army, which fields about twice as many aircraft. As of 2007, it operated more than 180 KF-16C/Ds, 234 F-5A/B/E/Fs, 130 F-4D/Es, 32 F-15Ks with the rest of the 29 F-15Ks being delivered by June 2010, and a number of South Korean made KAI A-50s among its combat aircraft. The Korean variant of F-15E were named F-15K Slam Eagles. South Korea became one of the world's few aircraft exporters when it exported 19 KT-1B indigenous training aircraft to Indonesia in 2003. Korean Aerospace Industries, the South Korean national aerospace company, has plans to export more KT-1 and T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer aircraft.
The Republic of Korea Air Force also expressed interests in acquiring the RQ-4 Global Hawk and Joint Direct Attack Munition kits to further improve their intelligence and offensive capabilities.
The replacement programs for the T-50 and A-50 are the KTX-2 and F-X, respectively. The latter has been fulfilled by the Boeing F-15K.^[16]
The South Korean government also announced its plan to develop indigenous helicopter manufacturing capacities to replace the aging UH-1 helicopters, many of which had seen service during the Vietnam War. The program originally included plans for the development of both a civilian and a military helicopter. This was later revised and gave priority to the utility helicopter program. Based on the success and experience of the civilian KMH (Korean Multi-purpose Helicopter) the attack helicopter, which would share a common configuration, will be developed.

Marine Corps

Main article: Republic of Korea Marine Corps

Although the National Armed Forces Organisation Act stipulates that the ROK Navy includes the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, the ROKMC is a semi-autonomous organization that carries out much of its functions independently. During the Korean War, the ROKMC earned their nickname as "귀신잡는 해병대" (Ghost-Catching Marines).
The motto of the ROK Marine Corps is "한번 해병은 영원한 해병" (Once a Marine, Forever a Marine).

Personnel

See also: Military ranks of South Korea, Comparative military ranks of Korea, and Conscription in South Korea

Military service is mentioned as one of the Four Constitutional Duties (along with taxes, education, and labor) for all citizens. The current effective Conscription Law, however, applies only to males although women can volunteer as officers or non-commissioned officers. Military service varies according to branch: 21 months for the Army and Marine Corps, 23 months for the Navy, 24 months for the Air Force and 25 months for civil service. The other professional civil service is from 26 months to 36 months.
Recently, however, there has been significant pressure from the public demanding either a shortening of the term or a switch to voluntary military service.
In the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, ranks fall into one of four categories: commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer, and enlisted, in decreasing order of authority. Commissioned officer ranks are further subdivided into "Janggwan" or general officers, "Yeonggwan" or field grade officers, and "Wigwan" or company officers. The "Wonsu" is appointed from the "Daejang" who has distinguished achievements. However, there has been no one holding the rank of "Wonsu" in the history of the ROK Armed Forces. All branches share a common rank-system, with different colors used to denote the different branches (Army: Green & Black, Navy: White & Black, Marine Corps: Red & Yellow, Air Force: Green & Blue).

Commissioned Officers (장교; 將校; Janggyo)
장관 (將官; Janggwan)
원수	元帥	Wonsu	General of the Army
대장	大將	Daejang	General
중장	中將	Jungjang	Lieutenant General
소장	少將	Sojang	Major General
준장	准將	Junjang	Brigadier General
영관 (領官; Yeonggwan)
대령	大領	Daeryeong	Colonel
중령	中領	Jungnyeong	Lieutenant Colonel
소령	少領	Soryeong	Major
위관 (尉官; Wigwan)
대위	大尉	Daewi	Captain
중위	中尉	Jungwi	First Lieutenant
소위	少尉	Sowi	Second Lieutenant
Warrant Officers (준사관; 准士官; Junsagwan)
준위	准尉	Junwi	Warrant Officer
Non-Commissioned Officers (부사관; 副士官; Busagwan)
원사	元士	Wonsa	Sergeant Major
상사	上士	Sangsa	Master Sergeant
중사	中士	Jungsa	Sergeant First Class
하사	下士	Hasa	Staff Sergeant
Enlisted (병; 兵; Byeong)
병장	兵長	Byeongjang	Sergeant
상병	上兵	Sangbyeong	Corporal
일병	一兵	Ilbyeong	Private First Class
이병	二兵	Ibyeong	Private

Note: The English titles are given as comparative examples with the US Army ranks.

Overseas deployments

Further information: Republic of Korea Armed Forces statistics in Vietnam War

Further information: Republic of Korea Armed Forces casualties in War in Afghanistan

Completed

Name of Conflict/PKO	Location	Date	Total Deployed	Casualty				Notes
				Killed	Wounded	Missing	Captured
Vietnam War	South Vietnam	1965.03.10~1973.03.23	325,517	5,099	10,962	4	0
Gulf War	Saudi Arabia  United Arab Emirates	1991.01.24~1991.04.10	314	0	0	0	0
UNOSOM II	Somalia	1993.07.30~1994.03.18	516	0	0	0	0
MINURSO	Western Sahara	1994.08.09~2006.05.15	542	0	0	0	0
UNOMIG	Georgia	1994.10.06~2009.07.10	88	0	0	0	0
UNAVEM III	Angola	1995.10.05~1996.12.23	600	0	0	0	0
UNAMET	East Timor	1999.10.04~2004.06.04	3,328	0	0	0	0
UNFICYP	Cyprus	2002.01.04~2003.12.23	1	0	0	0	0
Iraq War	Iraq	2003.02.12~2003.12.30	20,308	0	0	0	0
ONUB	Burundi	2004.09.15~2006.12.11	4	0	0	0	0

Ongoing

Name of Conflict/PKO	Location	Date	Deployed		Casualty				Notes
			Current	Total	Killed	Wounded	Missing	Captured
MINURSO	Western Sahara	1994.08.09~2006.05.15 2009.07.29~present	Completed 2	542 2	0 0	0 0	0 0	0 0
UNMOGIP	India  Pakistan	1994.11~present	10	135	0	0	0	0
OEF - Afghanistan	Afghanistan	2001.12.18~present	11	3,429	1	1	0	0
UNAMA	Afghanistan	2003.07.06~present	1	6	0	0	0	0
UNMIL	Liberia	2003.10.18~present	2	12	0	0	0	0
UNMIS	Sudan	2005.11.25~present	7	31	0	0	0	0
UNIFIL	Lebanon	2007.01.16~present	367	1,769	0	0	0	0
UNMIN	Nepal	2007.03.12~2008.07.25 2009.02.10~present	Completed 4	5 4	1 0	0 0	0 0	0 0
OEF - Horn of Africa	Somalia	2008.01.16~present	303	601	0	0	0	0
UNAMID	Sudan	2009.06.16~present	2	2	0	0	0	0
UNOCI	Côte d'Ivoire	2009.07.28~present	2	2	0	0	0	0

Seoul Zoo

You see the sign of Seoul Zoo not long before you drive far after passing the ridge of Namtaeryeong, the border between Seoul and Gwacheon.
Seoul Grand Park, consisting of three different areas of Education, Natural Culture and Amusement, has been internationally reputed for diverse amusements it provides, scenic beauty and natural advantages it has.
The first zoo in Korea was made in 1909 in the former royal palace of Changgyeongung under the changed name of Changgyeongweon by imperialist Japan in an effort to eradicate national spirits of and give insult to Koreans. The zoo, which had been maintained at Changgyeongweon even after Korea’s independence from imperialist Japan, was relocated to the current site in Makgyedong, Gwacheon in 1984 and opened its new history under the new name of Seoul Zoo. Now more than twenty years have passed since its relocation, Seoul Zoo has grown to the tenth largest zoo in the world in size.
Zoological gardens of Seoul Zoo keep over 3,400 individual animals belonging to about 360 species from all over the world, including rare species, such as lowland gorilla, in near-wild state classified by origins, life modes and ancestries.
Greenhouse plant garden gives visitors a feeling that they are in forest of all trees of the world with its plants of over 1,300 plant species on show.
It is also a great pleasure to walk along 7.4km-long hillside path that goes through Nature Immersion Area surrounding zoological gardens absorbed in refreshing woods and listening to vigorous shouts of youngsters from the Youth Training Center.
You can see a number of ducks swimming in the lake in front of the entrance to the zoo, couples and families absorbed in appreciating fascinating beauty of roses of over 20,000 belonging to over 200 species and brides in gorgeous dress to have photos taken in Rose Garden.
At Children’s Zoo next to Rose Garden, kids can freely play with cute and gentle animals, such as lambs, goats and llamas, on wide, open space.
If you’d like to get a perspective of the whole area of the park, you may ride the sky lift which will take you to the entrance of the zoo over the distance of 1.7km in the air, or you would like to take a stroll with your boy or girlfriend, you are recommended to take the promenade that goes around the lake.
In addition to zoological gardens and outstanding natural environment, peripheral amusement facilities attract children and young people.
At Seoul Land equipped with the latest amusement facilities, young couples as well as children can enjoy various adventure rides, such as the black hole, magic carpet and King Viking for fun and thrill. Persons with a taste for art may appreciate works and trends of modern and contemporary art at Museum of Contemporary Art.

With scenic beauty that varies from season to season, Seoul Zoo holds seasonal events all the year round. During the period from March to June, Spring Festival and INDI Cultural Festival are held along the 7 ring road for persons and young people who would like to enjoy to the full a feast of flowers, such as native silver-white cherry blossoms, vivid yellow forsythia and soft pink azalea. In April, children may exercise their imagination at Animal Cartoon Competition, which is followed by Rose Festival for couples who would like to have lover’s talk and families that desire to confirm mutual confidence and love among green trees, roses and animals in May and June, and Animals’ Starry Night Festival in July and August. In the fall, Animal Sketch Competition (September), Autumn Flower Festival and Chrysanthemum Festival are opened in the charming spectacle of russet autumn leaves in Mt. Cheonggye. In the winter, when white snow makes kids prone to fantasy, Tale of the Winter in Animal Kingdom (December to February) is told to kids. Don’t miss year-round events of Seoul Zoo.

Activities available to Seoul’s families seem to be limitless. In addition to the numerous historical and cultural sites, museums, and amusement parks, the National Zoo greets millions of visitors every year. Many school children experience the zoo by first walking its grounds during part of a school trip. Growing up in the United States, while I had numerous zoos nearby, I was never treated to such excursions, making me jealous every time I see a bus arrive in the parking lot.

South African Zebras spend part of their lazy afternoon enjoying lunch.

Today, the Seoul Zoo is the tenth largest in the world, but it didn’t start out that way. In fact, prior to 1909, Korea didn’t have a national zoo. It wasn’t until the Japanese occupation that one was created. While zoos are a fantastic place to learn about animals and the environments in which they live, the original national zoo was created on the grounds of Changgyeonggung. The first animals to be viewed by visitors were Siberian tigers, kangaroos, ostriches, camels, orangutans, among others. By housing the animals there, Imperial Japan hoped to break the spirit of the Korean people. This was further seen by changing the name of the palace to Changyeonweon.

A family poses with the ape statues located outside the Primate Area.

The zoo stayed in Seoul for some sixty years. However, as more and more creatures were added, it became evident that a new facility was going to be needed. October 30, 1978 saw ground being broken on the current site adjacent to Gwanak Mountain in Gwacheon. The new zoo opened in 1984 and now has over 3400 animals and boasts more than 360 different species. Total area of the facility is an astonishing 9.1 million square meters and includes camping facilities, nature parks, hiking trails, and an amusement park.

Laying in the fall colors, the lions look up to those admiring their form.

When first arriving to the zoo, you’ll be greeted by a large lake. Swimming and frolicking in the sun are resident ducks. They usually pay no attention to the visitors walking high above on the bridge suspended above them, but provide guests with an excellent gateway to what lays ahead – scores and scores of things to see and do. A favorite place for couples to walk is the Rose Garden. Inside this botanical treat are more than 20,0000 roses from over 200 species.

Probably the highlight of a visit to the zoo is watching the famed seal and dolphin show. Depending on the time of year, two to four shows are staged daily. In addition, children usually find great enjoyment at the zoo area just for them, with several baby animals ready to be viewed and played with. If you’d like to get a bird’s eye view of the zoo, that can also be granted by taking a ride on the 1.7km skylift.
To be sure, Seoul Zoo has something for everyone.

Information:

Address: Gyeonggi-do Gwacheon-si Makgye-dong 159-1

Phone: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese); For more info +82-2-500-7245 (Korean, English)
Web: http://grandpark.seoul.go.kr/Eng/html/main/main.jsp
Hours:
April – September: 9:00am – 7:00pm (Last admission: 6pm)
October – March: 9:00am – 6:00pm (Last admission: 5pm)
* Seal & Dolphin Show:
4 Shows Daily: 12pm, 1:30 am, 3pm, 4:30 pm
(December – February: 2 shows – 1:30pm, 3pm)
Parking: Small car : 4,000won / Large car : 9,000won
Admission:
Zoo: Adult(Age 19 or older) 3,000 won (group of 30 persons or more 2,100 won)/ Teenager(Ages 13 – 18) 2,000 won (group of 30 or more persons 1,400 won)/ Children(Ages 4 – 12) 1,000 won (group of 30 or more persons 700 won)
Dolphin Show: Adult 1,500 won/ Teenager 1,000 won/ Children 500 won
Youth Training Center: Adult 2,000 won/ Teenager 1,500 won/ Children 1,000 won
Getting There: Seoul Grand Park Station, Line 4, Exit 2

Daegu

Daegu (Korean: [tɛɡu]), formerly spelled Taegu, and officially known as the Daegu Metropolitan City, is a city in South Korea, the fourth largest after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and the third largest metropolitan area in the country  with over 2.5 million residents. The city is the capital and principal city of the surrounding Gyeongsangbuk-do province, although it is not legally part of the province. The two areas combined are often referred to as Daegu-Gyeongbuk, with a total population of over 5 million.
Daegu is located in south-eastern Korea about 80 km from the seacoast, near the Geumho River and its mainstream, Nakdong River in Gyeongsang-do. The Daegu basin, where the city lies, is the central plain of the Yeongnam region, making the city the natural center of the region's politics, economy, and culture.
In ancient times, Daegu was part of the Silla Kingdom which was the first successful attempt to unify the Korean Peninsula. During the Joseon Dynasty period, the city was the capital of Gyeongsang-do which was one of eight provinces of the country. Daegu was an important motor during South Korea's rapid economic growth period (1960s–1980s) and is currently focused on becoming a leading center in Korea for the fashion and high-tech industries. Due to its status as a cultural center, popular nicknames for Daegu include "Apple City", "Beauty City", "Textile City", and "Fashion City".

 History

 Prehistory and early history

Dalseong Park is believed to have been the center of historic Daegu.

Archaeological investigations in the Greater Daegu area have revealed a large number of settlements and burials of the prehistoric Mumun Pottery Period (c. 1500-300 B.C.). In fact, some of the earliest evidence of Mumun settlement in Gyeongsangdo have been excavated from Siji-dong and Seobyeon-dong.Dongcheon-dong is one of the substantial Mumun agricultural villages that have been excavated. The Dongcheon-dong site dates to the Middle Mumun (c. 850-550 B.C.) and contains the remains of many prehistoric pit-houses and agricultural fields. Megalithic burials (dolmens) have also been found in large numbers in Daegu.
Ancient historical texts indicate that during the Proto–Three Kingdoms of Korea period, Daegu was the site of a chiefdom or walled-town polity known in historical records as Dalgubeol. The first mention of Dalgubeol is dated to 261. Nothing is known of the earlier history of Dalgubeol, and little of what came later, except that it was absorbed into the kingdom of Silla no later than the fifth century. The vestiges of the wall at that time are seen, and then relics were excavated in the current Dalseong Park.

Silla

Silla defeated the other two kingdoms of the Three Kingdoms of Korea in the late 7th century, with assistance from Tang China. Shortly thereafter, in 689, Silla's King Sinmun considered moving the capital from Gyeongju to Daegu, but was unable to do so. This initiative is known only through a single line in the Samguk Sagi, but it is presumed that it indicates both an attempt by the Silla king to augment royal authority and the entrenched resistance of the Gyeongju political elites that was the likely cause of the move's failure.The city was given its current name in 757.
In the late 1990s archaeologists excavated a large scale fortified Silla site in Dongcheon-dong, Buk-gu.The site at Locality 2 consists of the remains of 39 raised-floor buildings enclosed by a formidable ditch-and-palisade system. The excavators hypothesize that the fortified site was a permanent military encampment or barracks. Archaeologists also uncovered a large Silla village dating to the 6th to 7th centuries AD at Siji-dong.

Later Three Kingdoms and Goryeo

During the Later Three Kingdoms period, 892–936, Daegu was initially aligned with Hubaekje. In 927, northern Daegu was the site of the Battle of Gong Mountain between the forces of Goryeo under Wang Geon and those of Hubaekje under Gyeon Hwon. In this battle, the forces of Goryeo were crushed and Wang Geon himself was saved only by the heroism of his general Shin Sung-gyeom. However, it appears that the conduct of the Hubaekje forces at this time changed local sympathies to favor Wang Geon, who later became the king of Goryeo.
Numerous place-names and local legends around Daegu still bear witness to the historic battle of 927. Among these are "Ansim", which literally means "peace of mind", said to be the first place where Wang Geon dared to stop after escaping the battle, and "Banwol", or half-moon, where he is said to have stopped and admired the moon before returning to Goryeo. A statue commemorating the battle now stands in northern Daegu, as does a memorial to Sin Sunggyeom.
In the Goryeo period, the first edition of the Tripitaka Koreana was stored in Daegu, at the temple of Buinsa. However, this edition was destroyed when the temple was sacked in 1254, during the Mongol invasions of Korea.

 Joseon

Daegu in the 18th century

Always an important transportation center, in the Joseon Dynasty Daegu lay on the Great Yeongnam Road which ran between Seoul and Busan. It lay at the junction of this arterial road and the roads to Gyeongju and Jinju.
In 1601, Daegu became the administrative capital of the Gyeongsang-do, which is current Daegu, Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Gyeongsangnam-do. At about that time, the city began to grow into the national major city. The status was continued for nearly three hundred years, then the city has been the capital of Gyeongsangbuk-do since Gyeongsang-do was divided into two provinces, Gyeongsangbuk-do (means the northern Gyeongsang-do) and Gyeongsangnam-do (southern) in 1896.
Daegu's first regular markets were established during the late Joseon period. The most famous of these is the Yangnyeongsi herbal medicine market. This became a center of herbal trade in Joseon, and even attracted buyers from neighboring countries. Traders from Japan, who were not permitted to leave the Nakdong River valley, hired messengers to visit the market on their behalf. Seomun Market which stood at the city's west gate at that time, was one of the top three markets in the Joseon period.

 Korean Empire and Colonial rule

Korea began to open to the world in the late 19th century. In 1895, Daegu became the site of one of the country's first modern post offices, as part of the reforms enforced after the murder of Empress Myeongseong.
Beginning in the late 1890s, many foreign merchants and workers came to Daegu, which further lay on the newly-constructed Gyeongbu Line railroad connecting Seoul and Busan.
In 1905, the old fortress wall was surreptitiously destroyed. The rest of the fortress wall is remembered only through the names such as the streets Dongseongno and Bukseongno, "east fortress street" and "north fortress street", which now run where the wall once stood.
The Korean independence movements were active in Daegu. These began as early as 1898, when a branch of the Independence Club was established in the city.As the demise of the Korean Empire approached in 1907, local citizens led by Seo Sang-don organized the National Debt Repayment Movement. This movement spread nationwide, although it was unsuccessful in its attempt to repay the country's debt through individual donations. Resistance activities continued after the 1910 annexation, notably during the March 1st movement of 1919. At that time, four major demonstrations took place in Daegu, involving an estimated 23,000 people.

 Partition

After the liberation in 1945, Daegu was a hotbed of unrest. In October 1946, the Daegu uprising took place, one of the most serious incidents of unrest after the foundation of South Korea. where police attempts to control rioters on October 1 caused the death of three student demonstrators and injuries to many others, sparking a mass counter-attack killing 38 policemen. It was also the site of major demonstrations on February 28, 1960, prior to the fraudulent presidential election of that year.
Daegu and all of North Gyeongsang saw heavy guerrilla activity in the late 1940s, as thousands of refugees arrived from the fighting in Jeolla. In November 1948, a unit in Daegu joined the mutiny which had begun in Yeosu the previous month.
During the Korean War, much heavy fighting occurred nearby along the Nakdong River. Daegu sat inside the Pusan Perimeter, however, and therefore remained in South Korean hands throughout the war. As in many other areas during the Korean War, political killings of dissenters were widespread. A large series of engagements were fought around the city to prevent North Korean troops from crossing the Nakdong, the Battle of Taegu.
In the second half of the twentieth century, the city underwent explosive growth, and the population has increased more than tenfold since the end of the Korean War. The city was heavily politically favored during the long military dictatorship of Park Chung-hee, when it and the surrounding area served as his political base. Conservative political movements remain powerful in Daegu today. Daegu is a political base for Korea's ruling Grand National Party.
In the 1980s, Daegu separated from Gyeongsangbuk-do and became a separately administered provincial-level Directly Governed City (Jikhalsi), and was redesignated as a Metropolitan City (Gwangyeoksi) in 1995. Today, Daegu is the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Korea with respect to both population and commerce.

 Politics

Daegu City Hall

There are two local governments in the city, the Daegu Metropolitan Government in Jung-gu and Gyeongbuk Provincial Government in Buk-gu. The provincial government will be relocated to Andong in its proper province, Gyeongbuk. The mayor and heads of city's eight districts are directly elected by the citizens every four years. The city council has twenty nine members which consist of twenty six from the same number of electoral districts and three proportional representations. They are also directly elected every four years. Most of them are the members of the Grand National Party (Hannara-dang), the main conservative political party in South Korea. Daegu is the home to the party and has produced many Presidents of the Republic of Korea. As the capital of the Korean conservatives, the city has strong political power.

 Administrative divisions

The 7 districts and 1 county of Daegu.

Main article: Wards of Daegu

Daegu is divided into 7 districts (Gu) and 1 county (Gun)

• Jung-gu (중구, 中區) – means the central district.
• Dong-gu (동구, 東區) – means the east district.
• Seo-gu (서구, 西區) – means the west district.
• Nam-gu (남구, 南區) – means the south district.
• Buk-gu (북구, 北區) – means the north district.
• Suseong-gu (수성구, 壽城區)
• Dalseo-gu (달서구, 達西區)
• Dalseong-gun (달성군, 達城郡)

 Geography

 Topography

Daegu sits in a basin surrounded by low mountains. Palgongsan to the north, Biseulsan to the south, Waryongsan to the west, and a series of smaller hills in the east. The Geumho River flows along the northern and eastern edges of the city, emptying in the Nakdong River west of the city.

 Climate

Daegu has a humid subtropical climate. The mountains that comprise the basin trap hot and humid air. Similarly, in winter, cold air lies in the basin. The area receives little precipitation except during the rainy season of summer, and is sunny throughout much of the year. Data gathered since 1961 indicates that the mean temperature for January, the coldest month in Daegu, is 0.6 °C (33 °F) and that for August, the warmest month, is 26.4 °C (80 °F). The City's lowest record temperature was −20.2 °C (−4 °F), and the City's highest record temperature was 40.0 °C (104 °F).

Climate data for Daegu (1981−2010)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	5.5 (41.9)	8.3 (46.9)	13.5 (56.3)	20.6 (69.1)	25.3 (77.5)	28.3 (82.9)	30.3 (86.5)	31.0 (87.8)	26.7 (80.1)	21.9 (71.4)	14.7 (58.5)	8.2 (46.8)	19.5 (67.1)
Daily mean °C (°F)	0.6 (33.1)	2.9 (37.2)	7.8 (46.0)	14.3 (57.7)	19.1 (66.4)	22.8 (73.0)	25.8 (78.4)	26.4 (79.5)	21.7 (71.1)	15.9 (60.6)	9.0 (48.2)	2.9 (37.2)	14.1 (57.4)
Average low °C (°F)	−3.6 (25.5)	−1.6 (29.1)	2.8 (37.0)	8.4 (47.1)	13.5 (56.3)	18.2 (64.8)	22.3 (72.1)	22.8 (73.0)	17.6 (63.7)	10.8 (51.4)	4.2 (39.6)	−1.5 (29.3)	9.5 (49.1)
Precipitation mm (inches)	20.6 (0.811)	28.2 (1.11)	47.1 (1.854)	62.9 (2.476)	80.0 (3.15)	142.6 (5.614)	224.0 (8.819)	235.9 (9.287)	143.5 (5.65)	33.8 (1.331)	30.5 (1.201)	15.3 (0.602)	1,064.4 (41.906)
% humidity	54.4	53.6	54.1	53.2	58.7	65.5	73.8	72.9	71.3	64.5	60.3	56.8	61.6
Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm)	4.5	5.2	7.3	7.8	8.6	9.5	14.4	12.8	9.6	5.1	5.0	4.3	94.1
Sunshine hours	193.5	185.2	202.9	220.4	229.7	183.8	151.3	165.3	161.1	203.2	180.0	189.7	2,266.0
Source: Korea Meteorological Administration

 Economy

Daegu is a manufacturing industry city. The major industries are textiles, metals and machinery. The quality of the apples grown around the city is renowned around Korea. Many companies such as Daegu Bank, Korea Delphi, Hwasung corp., and TaeguTec are situated in this city, and Samsung and Kolon were founded here. Numerous factories are located in the industrial complexes situated in the west and north sides of the city including the Seongseo Industrial Complex, West Daegu Industrial Complex and the Daegu Dyeing Industrial Complex.
The city is the economic and industrial core of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, one of the major industrial areas in Korea. It accounted for as much as 94 percent of Korea's trade surplus in 2006.^[22] The electronics industries in Gumi and the steel industries in Pohang provided great services to that surplus. World-leading manufacturing facilities for Anycall (Samsung Mobile) and POSCO's main factories are located near the city. Daegu and its neighbouring cities were designated for the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Free Economic Zone by the central government in 2008. It is specialized in knowledge-based service and manufacturing industries.
Historically, Daegu has been the commercial center of the southern part of the Korean Peninsula with Seoul in the center and Pyongyang in the north (currently North Korea), because of its advantageous location. Some of the large, traditional markets like Seomun Market are still flourishing in the city.
Additionally, Daegu was considered the third major economic city in Korea, after Seoul and Busan. However, due to the decline of the textile industry, which is the heart of Daegu's economy, the overall economic growth of the city has also fallen.
Also, the city is the warmest region in South Korea due to the humid subtropical climate. This climate condition provides the region with high quality apples and oriental melons. The fruit industry is a crucial support for the local economy. However, because of the Korean Peninsula’s change in climate due to global warming, the sweetness and popularity of Daegu’s fruits has declined.[SOURCE?]
Due to the stagnant economy, Daegu’s population began to decrease after 2003. Recently, the local government has begun focusing on working towards economic revival and concentrating on improving the city’s fashion industry.

Fashion industry

Beginning in the late 1990s, Daegu has been actively making efforts to promote its fashion industry based on its textile and clothing manufacturing industries under the 'Daegu: Fashion City'. The city opens many exhibitions related to the fashion and textile industries including the Daegu Fashion Fair and Preview in Daegu annually or semi-annually, and invites national institutes. A large new town specializing in the textile-fashion industries is currently under construction in Bongmu-dong, northeastern Daegu. The district, officially named Esiapolis, takes aim at the fashion hub of East Asia. Textile complexes, textile-fashion institutions, an international school, fashion malls as well as residential areas plan to be developed in the district.

 Culture and sightseeing

Generally, Daegu is known as a conservative city. As well as being the largest inland city in the country beside Seoul it has become one of the major metropolitan areas in the nation. Traditionally, Buddhism was strong; today there are still many temples. Confucianism was popular in Daegu, with a large academy based in the city. Neon cross-topped spires of Christian churches can also be seen in the city.
Sights
The most well-known sight of the city is the stone Buddha called Gatbawi on the top of Gwanbong, Palgongsan. It is famous for its stone gat (Korean traditional hat). People from all over the country visit the place, because they believe that the Buddha will grant one's single desire. Administratively, the site itself is located in the neighboring city, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk.

Scenery of Donghwasa

On the outskirts of the city, mountains keep many traditional and renowned temples such as Donghwasa, Pagyesa, and Buinsa ("-sa" means temple). Donghwasa itself dates from the Silla period, and many artifacts of the period are found around the temple in northern Daegu. Some lecture halls or memorial halls such as Dodong-seowon (도동서원, 道東書院) and Nokdong-seowon (녹동서원, 鹿洞書院) are also located in the suburbs. Those places have served as resting places for the citizens mentally and physically. The old villages such as the Otgol village (Gyeongju Choi clan's original residence area) and the Inheung village (Nampyeong Mun's) rarely remain.
In the urban area, the Joseon Dynasty's administrative or educational buildings including Gyeongsang-gamyeong (경상감영, 慶尙監營) and Daegu-hyanggyo (대구향교, 大邱鄕校) remain. The main gateway of the city in that period called Yeongnam-jeilmun (영남제일문, 嶺南第一門, means the first gateway in Yeongnam) is restored in Mangudang Park, east of Daegu.
Western style modern architectures like Gyesan Cathedral and the old building of Jeil Church are preserved in many places of the urban area. Gyesan Cathedral is the third oldest gothic church building in Korea and the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Daegu which is one of three archdioceses in South Korea. Several buildings, in the present Keisung Academy and the KNU middle/high school, are famous too.
Yangnyeongsi (약령시, 藥令市) in Namseongno (often called Yakjeon-golmok) is the oldest market for Korean medicinal herbs in the country with a history of 350 years. Bongsan-dong which has some art galleries and studios is being developed as the artistic center of the city since the 1990s.
Nearby tourist attractions include Haeinsa—a Buddhist temple that houses the Tripitaka Koreana (a woodblock edition of the Tripitaka and one of the world's oldest extant complete collections of the Buddhist scriptures)—. Haeinsa is located in Gayasan National Park of Hapcheon, Gyeongnam. The historic city of Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla is located east of Daegu.

 Mountains and parks

See also: List of parks in Daegu

Dalgubeol-daejong, a city bell at the Gukchae Bosang Park

Palgongsan, Biseulsan, and Apsan are the representative mountains in Daegu ("-san" means mountain). Apsan, just in the southern part of the city, is the closest mountain from the urban area among them. It has many trails, Buddhist temples, a Korean War museum, and a gondola ride to the peak. Additionally, Waryongsan, Hamjisan, and Yongjibong are located in the city. These serve as neighborhood parks to the citizens.
In the urban area, several small mountains and hills play the same role. Dalseong Park, sits inside a 1500-year-old earth fortress, is a historic place of the city. It contains the city's only zoo and some monuments as well as the wall. Duryu Park or Duryusan is a large forest in the middle of the urban area. It has Daegu Tower, Woobang Land, Kolon Bandstand, Duryu Stadium, and many sports facilities. Daegu Tower, also called Woobang Tower or Duryu Tower, is the tallest contemporary structure (202 m) and the symbol of today Daegu. Its observatory commands good views of the city. Woobang Land is the largest amusement park out of the capital area. Many small gardens in the heart of the city such as the National Debt Repayment Movement Memorial Park (Gukchae Bosang Park) and 2·28 Park, are loved by people. The former park includes Dalgubeol-daejong (달구벌대종, 達句伐大鐘, means the Dalgubeol grand bell), a symbolic bell of the city. The bell is struck every week and year.

 Downtown and shopping

Dongseongno

Dongseongno (동성로, 東城路) is the downtown of Daegu lying from the Daegu Station to Jungang pachulso (central police station) near the Banwoldang subway station in the center of the city Jung-gu. It has the Jungangno subway station as the nearest station from its heart. Like its name meaning the street in the east fortress, the eastern part of Daegu-eupseong (대구읍성, 大邱邑城, means the Daegu-Principality Fortress) was situated along this street. The fortress, however, had been demolished in the early 20th century. Although Daegu is the nation's third or fourth largest city, the Dongseongno area form the largest and the broadest downtown area in the whole country except the capital city, Seoul. In most cases, famous brands open their branch shop first here out of the Greater Seoul area.

The sign of the Seomun Market

Sub-downtowns in the city have its own commercial powers and colors. The area around the Seongseo Industrial Complex subway station in Dalseo-gu is a concentration of many amusement spots, and young people easily can be seen around Kyungpook National University in Buk-gu. Deuran-gil (means the street inside the field) in Suseong-gu is known for many restaurants.
The city has a number of department stores. Many of these belong to national or multinational chains, but the local Daegu Department Store also operates two branches, while another local chain, Donga Department Store operates four in the city proper. The six department stores among them gather at the downtown. The traditional markets such as Seomun Market and Chilseong Market sell all sorts of goods.

Festivals

Many traditional ceremonies and festivals in agrarian society disappeared in the process of modernization. A Confucian ritual ceremony called Seokjeondaeje is held at Daegu-hyanggyo every spring and autumn. The Yangnyeongsi herb medical festival and Otgol village festival are the contemporary festivals about traditional culture.

Daegu Musical Awards in DIMF 2009

Lately in the city, enthusiasm about performing arts is growing and the local government is trying to meet its demand. Daegu International Opera Festival (DIOF), Daegu International Musical Festival (DIMF), and Daegu International Bodypainting Festival (DIBF) are three of the most famous festivals on each field in Korea, although those have short histories.
Various festivals in various themes like the Colorful Daegu Festival, Dongseongno festival, Palgongsan maple festival, Biseulsan azalea festival, Korea in Motion Daegu, and so on, are held by the city, each ward, or the specific groups, all through the year.
On August 25 through August 31, 2008, Daegu hosted the first ever Asian Bodypainting Festival, a sister event of the World Bodypainting Festival in Seeboden, Austria.

 Museums

• Daegu National Museum – A notable national museum collecting relics excavated in and around Daegu
• Daegu Bangjja Yugi (Korean Bronzeware) Museum
• Hengso Museum of Keimyung University
• Korea Video Museum
• Kyungpook National University Museum
• Museum for Daegu National University of Education
• Museum of Natural Dye Arts

 Theaters

• Daegu Opera House – The first theater in Korea only for performing opera
• Suseong Artpia
• Keimyung Art Center – One of the largest scale theaters in the city.
• Daegu Culture and Arts Center

 Sports

The official emblem of the 2011 World Championships in Athletics

On March 27, 2007, the city was selected to host the 2011 World Championships in Athletics. Daegu competed with cities such as Moscow, Russia and Brisbane, Australia to earn the votes of the IAAF Council. This event will be the fourth IAAF World Championships in Athletics to be held outside Europe, and the first games in mainland Asia. It will be also the third worldwide sports event held in Korea after the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul and 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan. Daegu also hosted three matches in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and the 2003 Summer Universiade. The city hosts the Colorful Daegu Pre-Championships Meeting every year since 2005.

A home game of the Samsung Lions, one of the most popular sports teams in the city

Daegu Stadium is the second largest sports complex in South Korea as a seating capacity of 66,422. Daegu simin undongjang hosted some soccer matches at the Seoul Olympics. Now the city is planning a new baseball stadium.

 Sports teams

Club	Sport	League	Venue	Established
Samsung Lions	Baseball	KBO	Daegu simin undongjang yagujang	1982
Daegu FC	Football	K-League	Daegu Stadium	2003

 Media

There are three terrestrial TV broadcasting stations in the city: KBS Daegu Broadcast Station, Daegu MBC, and TBC. These are affiliated companies of central broadcasting stations in Seoul just like other local broadcasting companies in South Korea. TBC (Taegu Broadcasting Corporation) depends on SBS. They cover to Gyeongsangbuk-do out of the city. Each television broadcasting company has its own radio station as well.

 International Daegu

Daegu is largely a homogeneous community that includes few non-Koreans. However, a number of immigrants from South and Southeast Asia work in automotive-parts factories on the city's west side. In addition, there is a small group of English-speaking Westerners working in English schools and university programs. The American military bases are also home to several thousand Americans. Recently Chinese students have begun studying Korean at universities in Daegu, and there is an increasing number of graduate and post-graduate students from other Asian countries. As elsewhere in Korea, Korean food overwhelmingly dominates; Chinese, Japanese and Western food forms the bulk of non-Korean food but recently Indian and Russian foods have become available.
Daegu hosts three American military bases, Camp Henry, which house Daegu American School, Camp George and Camp Walker. Camp Walker houses Daegu American School for high school children, while Camp George hold the school for elementary and middle school (both of which are primarily for children of military personnel). Camp George also houses most of the [Enlisted]ranked soldiers. Camp Henry serves as the primary place of work for all the military personnel. Camp Walker services as the home to Officer ranked soldiers Major and up. Although non-military families can enroll their children at the school, most either home-school their children or send them to a small Christian private school which teaches about 25 children near the central business district of Daegu.

 Education

See also: Education in South Korea

As of 2009, Daegu has 215 elementary schools, 123 middle schools including the Dong-Pyeong Middle School, and 91 high schools. There are two specialized public high schools which are Daegu Science High School and Taegu Foreign Language High School, and some other high schools such as Keisung Academy, Gyeongsin High School and Daeryun High School have good grades for university admission. Most of well-known high schools are located in Suseong-gu. Because its educational grade and zeal are high standard in the country.

File:Spring Keisung.jpg

Keisung Academy(also called Keisung High School, Henderson Hall(main building)

Also, Daegu has 4 independent private high schools like Keisung Academy(also called Keisung High School), Gyeongsin High School, Gyeong-il Girl's High School, Daegun Catholic High School.

 Universities and colleges

Kyungpook National University, School of Medicine

Yeungnam University, central library (at Gyeongsan)

Keimyung University, main building

Daegu and its satellite towns are one of the areas which have the most large private higher educational institutions in Korea. Many of their main campuses are located in the nearby Gyeongsan city which serves the Daegu region as a college town. Kyungpook National University (KNU) is one of the most highly ranked and well organized national universities in Korea. It holds first place in and around the city in almost all of the fields. Daegu has two of the most prestigious private universities outside Seoul, Keimyung University and Yeungnam University. There are some smaller private universities such as Catholic University of Daegu and Daegu University. Daegu National University of Education offers elementary education training.
The other universities and colleges include Daegu Arts University, Daegu Cyber University, Daegu Haany University, Daegu Health College, Daegu Mirae College, Daegu Polytechnic College, Daegu Technical College, Daegu University of Foreign Studies, Daeshin University, Keimyung College University, Kyongbuk Science University, Kyongbuk University of Foreign Studies, Kyungil University, Taekyeung College, Yeungjin College, Yeungnam College of Science and Technology, and Youngnam Theological College and Seminary.

 Medical institutions

Some large university hospitals make the city the medical hub of south-eastern Korea. The Kyungpook National University Hospital, founded as Daegu-dongin-uiwon in 1907, is the well-known hospital in the city. The Dongsan Hospital (attached to Keimyung University), founded as Jejungwon in 1899, is one of the oldest western style medical clinics in Korea. The Yeungnam University Medical Center has the largest beds in the city. The yearly treatment amount of these tertiary hospitals is the second largest in South Korea after that of Seoul.^[28] The Daegu Catholic University Medical Center is also included in them.

Transportation

Rail

Dongdaegu Station

Daegu is the hub of the Korean inland railroad traffic. The main railroad of the country, Gyeongbu Line passes through the city. The largest railroad station in the city, Dongdaegu Station has the second largest passenger traffic in Korea after Seoul Station, and the largest train traffic. The station re-opened in 2004 after extensive renovations serves the KTX highspeed train, Saemaul and Mugunghwa trains. All kinds of trains except KTX depart from Daegu Station, an all-new building with cinemas, restaurants and a department store, located near the city centre. It has the tenth largest passenger traffic in Korea.Daegu Line branches off from Gacheon Station of Gyeongbu Line.

 Metro

Main article: Daegu Metropolitan Subway

Map of the rapid transit of Daegu. The red line is line 1, and the green is line 2.

The city also has a subway system, consisting of two heavy rail lines. Line 1 crosses the city from northeast to southwest, while Line 2 crosses from west to east. Line 3 from northwest to southeast is under construction as an elevated monorail. All the lines are and will be operated by the Daegu Metropolitan Transit Corporation (DTRO). Another line will operate in a few years as a heavy rail system using the Gumi–Daegu–Gyeongsan section of Gyeongbu Line. Line 4 is a long-range plan and will be a circle line. Fare is 1100 won on distance and 950 won with a prepaid card. There is a free interchange scheme between the metro and bus within an hour of first use for the prepaid card users.

 Road

There are two types of buses which are local and limited express. Limited express buses have more seats, but often passengers are required to stand. As of 2008, Local bus fare costs around 1100 won, Limited express bus fare would set you back around 1500 won. Discounted fare is available with a prepaid card.
Bus route numbers are made up with 3 digits, each number indicates the area that bus serves. For example, number 407 bus runs from zone four, to zone zero, and then to zone seven. Other routes, usually circular, are named for the districts they serve and numbered 1 through 3.
Traffic is sometimes heavy, however, the major thoroughfares handle fairly high volumes of traffic without too much trouble.

 Air

Daegu is served by Daegu Airport (international/domestic) located in northeastern Daegu.

 Notable people

Leaders

• Park Chung-hee – from Gumi, Army general and 5th–9th President of South Korea
• Chun Doo-hwan – from Hapcheon, Army general and 11th–12th President of South Korea
• Roh Tae-woo – Army general and 13th President of South Korea
• Park Geun-hye – politician, daughter of Park Chung-hee

Industrialists

• Lee Byung-chull – from Uiryeong, founder and former chairman of the Samsung Group
• Kim Woo-jung – founder and former chairman of the Daewoo Group
• Lee Kun-hee – chairman of the Samsung Group, son of Lee Byung-chull

Religious

• Kim Sou-hwan – first Korean Cardinal of the Catholic Church

Writers/composers

• Hyeon Jin-geon – novelist
• Yi Sang-hwa – poet
• Hyeon Je-myeong – composer
• Jaegwon Kim – philosopher

Actors

• Shin Seong-il – national actor in the 1960s and 1970s
• Son Ye-jin – famous young actress
• Moon Chae Won – famous young actress

Sports

• Lee Man-Soo – baseball player
• Yang Jun-Hyuk – baseball player
• Lee Seung-Yeop – baseball player
• Park Chu-Young – soccer player
• Jin Sun-Yu – short-track speed skater, triple gold medalist at 2006 Winter Olympics

Beauties

• Chang Yun-jong – 1st runner-up of the Miss Universe 1988, winner of the Miss Korea 1987
• Son Tae-young – 1st runner-up of the Miss International 2000, 2nd runner-up of the Miss Korea 2000, actress
• Seo Eun-mi – 1st runner-up of the Miss International 2009, one of two 1st runners-up of the Miss Korea 2009

Idols

• Key of Shinee
• Kim Junsu of 2PM
• Mika and Karam of Dae-guk-nam-ah / The Boss