Chungju () is a city in North Chungcheong Province, South Korea.
The city is famous for the annual martial arts festival held in October, and for being the hometown of former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.
Symbol The city's symbols include the chrysanthemum (city flower), the Mandarin duck (city bird), and the apple tree (city tree).
History
During Hideyoshi's Invasions of Korea, Chungju was the site of the Battle of Chungju, where the Korean general Shin Rip was defeated by the Japanese general Konishi Yukinaga. This defeat resulted in King Seonjo fleeing from Hanseong (Seoul) to Pyongyang.
Chungju Lake
Chungju Dam is the country's largest multi-purpose dam, linking Chungju and its surrounding neighborhoods. It creates an artificial lake with a vast body of water.
Woraksan Mt and Songnae valley are located nearby. Additionally, this area has a cherished cave area/springs.[출발!2박 2일] 충주호, Hankook Ilbo May 29, 2003
2013 World Rowing Championships The 2013 World Rowing Championships were held at Tangeum Lake, Chungju between August 25 – September 1., 2013 Chungju, South Korea.
Olympic and Paralympic Qualification Regatta It had been intended that the Asia and Oceania Qualification Regatta for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games would be held there from April 27 to 30, but it was cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Products Chungju is renowned for its apple production. The principal reasons are the large amount of daylight received and the significant temperature differences. The growing of apples started 300 years ago from China, and it was 1912 when the city officially began to plant trees. As of 2009, the apple cultivation area is 1,871 ha and production amount is 41,592. Apple production accounted for 44.6% of total production in Chungcheongbuk-do (as of 2009). The scale is the greatest in North Chungcheong Province.
Education There are two universities in Chungju: Konkuk University (Chungju campus) and Korea National University of Transportation (formed by the 2012 merger of Chungju National University and Korea National Railroad College). In addition to being home to these two Universities, Chungju also has many primary, middle, and high schools with excellent classroom facilities.
There is one international school, Chungju Chinese Elementary School.
Climate Chungju has a monsoon-influenced humid continental climate (Köppen: Dwa) with cold, dry winters and hot, rainy summers.
Sister cities City Division Country Year Yugawara Kanagawa Prefecture Japan 1994 Taichung N/A Taiwan 1969 Musashino Tokyo Japan 1997 Daqing Heilongjiang China2001
Notable people
Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General Lee Seung-hyo, actor Lee Geung-young, actor Park Jeong-min, actor Jung Jin-young, singer and member of B1A4 Kwangchul Youn, South Korean operatic bass and academic voice teacher Kim Seon-tae, former civil servant and YouTuber Park Sung-woong, actor Jang Yoon-jeong, singer
See also List of cities in South Korea Tangeum Lake People Power Party (South Korea)
References
External links
City government home page (in English) City government home page (in Korean)