Jinpo Maritime Theme Park

We visited my hubby's friend, he's the guy that we met in Canada who is living in Gunsan. Before we separated we traveled around Gunsan and Jinpo Maritime Theme Park is one of the places that we've been to.

In August 1380, the 6th year of the reign of King U of the Goryeo Dynasty, a large pirate fleet consisting of around 500 ships attacked Jinpo and pillaged the surrounding area. According to Goryeosa (The history of Goryeo), the entire area was covered with the bodies of slaughtered Koreans. The pirates (then known as wako) carted bags of rice looted from private households back to their boats, reportedly dropping so much along the way that they left behind a layer of rice some 30cm thick. The naval command of Goryeo, headed by Na Se, Sim Deok-bu and Choe Mu-seon defeated the pirates Jinpo, using cannons developed by Cheo Mu-seon. It was the first sea battle in the history of the world in which cannons were used.



Four floating platforms (bridge) at the inner port of Gunsan were built 1926-1938 but it remains 3 floating platforms present. This has been used for berth facility for vessel. The height of floating platform is automatically adjusted by water level.





Displays in Jinpo Marine Theme Park are important assets of Korean Army and the Navy that now have been dismissed with its duty after serving it for many years of hard serving. Gunsan people gained the Ministry of National Defense's approval to freely use them for educational purposes, teaching nation's defense system to the citizens of Gunsan. In the Marine Theme Park are old military equipments: therefore they are asking people to please handle them with extra caution which is really necessary of course.









At the entrance of the theme park are some transportations used in war.











To understand more about the Theme Park, here's a brief History of Wi-Bong Ship.

The "Wi-Bong" is a Landing Ship Tank knows as (LST 849 in the US) which used to serve the US navy as the major Naval ship. Having being built on Jan. 16th, 1945 it participated during WWII during the landing mission executed by the allied forces.

On Jan. 13th, 1959, it was undertaken by the Korean troops in Seattle and on May 19th, 1959, it entered in port "Jin Hae" in Korea. (Named as the Wi-Bong LST 676). Since then, it was Korea's major landing ship performing during landing missions and transportations.

It made great contribution during the Vietnam War: situated in "Baek Gu" unit, it participated sixteen combat missions.

Moreover, for past 48 years, it played essential role in nation's defense system and was definitely played part in keeping world peace by providing its facility during trainings. It made its honorable retirement on Dec. 31st, 2006.

On Dec. 25th, 2007 Gunsan City signed a contract with Korean Navy to move the ship to Gunsan (at no charge) for educational purposes and a way to introdduce the city's history to outside world.

Wi-Bong 676 is a Landing Ship Tank that was built on Jan. 16th, 1945 by Betlehem Steel in USA. It has a speed of Max. 11.6KTS (economical speed 8.0KTS). It range with a Max. 3.800NM (economical 8KTS). The ship weight is 4196 ton at full displacement. It's overalll length is 99.6, overall width 15.3m, waterline length 3.96m and mast length 23.5m.

For its transporting capacity, the number of people composed of 125 ship attendants and 500 soldiers. For vehicles, it composed of 15 amphibious tanks, 15 trucks, etc.

From the entrance, the theme park has a very relaxing and a nice view.





Don't forget to visit the Jinpo Maritime Theme Park if you happen to visit Gunsan. It's worth-seeing!

Gunsan Public Market

When travelling, visiting the markets is one of the most interesting things to do specially if you're out of town or country. It is where you can discover lots of strange, yummy or edible foods that you've never tried or seen before. Also, you can know what people eat in that area. So, when we visited Gunsan City, the Gunsan Public Market caught our attention not only because we usually visit some markets in town but also the market is so attractive. It looks so much different in and out from the Korean markets.

Here's the market building.



There's also a playgroud near the entrance.



The entrance.



Inside the market with lots of different kinds of products.



If you're looking for different kinds of spices, you can see them at Gunsan Market. They sell everything inside. From fruits, vegetables, spices, fermented food, preservatives, plastic trash, clothes, etc.





There are also restaurants that you can enjoy when you feel tired of shopping or looking around. Everything looks in order and the food looks yummy. Too bad that we just had lunch when we visited there. I really wanted to experience eating inside and taste the yummy smell food.



The interior doesn't only look good outside but also inside. There are even benches where you can relax and refresh specially in the summer.

Gunsan Factories

When we visited Canada, we met a Korean guy who lives in Gunsan so we went both back here in Korea, he and my hubby kept in touch. He already came over to my house twice and one day he invited us to visit his place. He showed us some places in Gunsan and what I noticed is, there are lots of factories. I've never seen lots of factories as those in Gunsan. The huge lot area has so many factories that according to my hubby, some of the area used to be sea and made it a land to build some factories. Wow! It's so amazing!



Here are some of the factories that I've just decided to take pictures of them on our way home.









The guy thought that it's easier to meet near the factories because it's the Gunsan's landmark but we almost lose our way because we didn't bring our navigation. We drove around but we couldn't find the meeting place easily so when we saw a map, my hubby got off the car and checked. Of all the factories and wide range of land, it wasn't easy to find the location. We drove around for about 30 mins before we met my hubby's friend.

I heard about the factories in Gunsan but never had an idea how many factories there are but after seeing it, wow! No wonder why they say that there are also lots of foreigners there and it's true. There are so many foreigners walking in the street. I heard they came to Korea to work in the factories.

If you are a foreigner who wants to work in the factory, I think Gunsan is the best place. Also, if you want to meet foreigner, Gunsan is also the place to meet your countrymen.

Bridge That Connects Buan and Gunsan

We visited a friend that we met when we traveled to Canada and he treated us for lunch. After lunch, he took us to Saemangeum Seawall or Saemangeum Jeonsigwan in Korean, the bridge that connects Buan and Gunsan. I remember that I've been in this place a few years ago so I checked my website and found it here. That was the time when they were still building the bridge. It was in 2007 when we last visited it and it's totally different now. I thought they couldn't finish it because lots of the residence near the bridge were against it. At that time, there were lots of boats stocked each sides because they couldn't go to the other side of the sea. I heard that was one of the reasons why most fishermen were against it.

Anyway, here's what it looks like now. And compare it here if you wonder what it looks like during the construction.



The sight view.



The fishing area where there are few people fishing.



And the bridge.