beautiful Gwangalli Beach in Busan

Gwangalli Beach is one of the most popular beaches in South Korea.
Not quite as popular as Haeundae Beach to the east, this beach in Busan still manages to draw lots of visitors both because of its beautiful white sandy stretch of coastline and the area’s cafe scene.

It is particularly popular with young people in this area and young visitors to Busan in general. Besides the wide variety of eclectic cafes that each offer a different experience in terms of design and ambiance, the area on which the beach is situated is also home to a number of restaurants, bars, and clubs.  You will also have no problem whatsoever locating hotels near Gwangalli Beach as there are plenty in the area.

If you have never traveled to South Korea and simply search for any beach in Busan to help determine where to stay, you may overlook Gwangalli Beach. This will be no fault of your own. There are simply larger and better-known beaches such as Haeundae. You will find, however, that there are a lot of options for things to do on and around Gwangalli Beach. Numerous festivals and events take place throughout the year on the beach, including the Busan Sea Festival held every summer. Namcheon-dong is located at the southern portion of the beach and plays host to the Cherry Blossom Tree Festival each and every year. This is a very popular time of celebrations at Gwangalli Beach. People come from all around to take part in traditional Korean festivities and games. You can do everything from learning ancient forms of Korean wrestling to taking the kids to fun and interactive singing and dancing workshops. There is definitely no shortage of things to do at this beach in Busan.

The Novotel Ambassador is a gorgeous hotel located closer to Haeundae Beach, but well within driving or even walking distance of Gwangalli. It is worth a mention because it is one of the nicest hotels near Gwangalli Beach where you can also get a lot of value for your money. Booked far enough in advance, the Novotel Ambassador offers highly competitive rates, especially considering the wide range of luxurious amenities. The Novotel features an indoor and outdoor pool, sauna and spa, restaurant, 24-hour concierge service, and spacious guest rooms and suites.

The Busan Hotel is another of the popular accommodations in the area where you can find reasonable rates without having to compromise on anything. The amenities are comprehensive including massage and spa treatments, onsite dining, and swimming pools. The guest rooms and suites are decorated with fine furnishings and provide excellent views of the sea. It is one of the best hotels near Gwangalli Beach, both for the price and for the location. It is close to downtown and much of the nightlife in Busan. It is also right by several fish markets if you want to try the best in freshly caught raw seafood. Do not overlook this beach in Busan if you happen to be staying in this part of South Korea. Gwangalli offers a lot of cool cafes and a fun, laid-back environment where you can relax.

Korean Government's Official Position on Dokdo

General Info
Dokdo in the East Sea is Korean territory, geographically and by the international law. Japan’s attempts to seize Dokdo deny historical records.

The name East Sea has been in continuous use for over 2,000 years and it is inappropriate to name a sea after a single country. In this menu, we provide the Korean government’s official positions on Dokdo and the East Sea, accompanied by related historical records and multimedia contents

Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo
Dokdo should never be subject to diplomatic negotiations or territorial disputes because it is Korean territory by facts and history. Korea wants to cooperate with Japan to rectify their misunderstanding of historical facts and bring lasting peace and prosperity to Northeast Asia.

                                   Japan's impudent imperialistic ambition

History is not something that can be arbitrarily stitched together from disparate parts. Dokdo was the first piece absorbed by Japan when it invaded the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). For Japan to insist on possession of Dokdo is no different from denying Korea's history of liberation from Japanese rule. Japan's claim over Dokdo implies that it has never abandoned territorial ambitions even after its illegal occupation of the Korean Peninsula ended in 1945.
 
Korean Government's Official Position on Dokdo
A. Korea's sovereignty is irrefutable



The Government of the Republic of Korea is adamant in its position that Dokdo is Korean territory. This fact is irrefutable geographically, historically and according to international law.

B. Geographical standpoint
                                                 
Dokdo, the easternmost islands of Korea, are 87.4 kilometers southeast of Ulleungdo in the East Sea. According to Sejong sillok jiriji (Geographical Appendix to the Veritable Records of King Sejong, 1432), Usando (Dokdo) and Mureungdo (Ulleungdo) are visible from each other on a clear day. It is natural that the residents in Ulleungdo have long recognized Dokdo as islands belonging to Ulleungdo.


C. Documents prove that old name Usando is current Dokdo


Sejong sillok jirijiThe Silla Kingdom (57 BCE-935 CE) annexed Usanguk, comprising Ulleungdo and Dokdo, in year 512, since when the name Dokdo started appearing in official documents. Sejong sillok jiriji (1432), for example, referred to Ulleungdo and Dokdo as Mureungdo and Usando, respectively. Goryeosa (History of Goryeo, 1451), Sinjeung dongguk yeoji seungnam (Revised Edition of the Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea, 1530), Dongguk munheon bigo (Reference Compilation of Documents of Korea, 1770), Man-gi yoram (Book of Ten Thousand Techniques of Governance, 1808) and many others show that Usando was an old name for Dokdo. They also prove that Usando referred to Dokdo for at least several centuries until the early 20th century.

D. Japan's capture of An Yong-bok

The statue of An Yong-bokDuring the King Sukjong era (1674-1720), Joseon's fisherman An Yong-bok was captured by the Japanese fisherman. Diplomatic negotiations to deal with the abduction had been prompted between Joseon and Japan and the issue of ownership over Ulleungdo and Dokdo was concluded with the Tokugawa Shogunate issuing a directive in 1696, prohibiting all Japanese from making passage to Ulleungdo.



E. Ulleungdo and Dokdo have nothing to do with Japan: Daijokan  



A memorandum from Japan's Home Affairs Ministry and a directive issued by Daijokan proclaiming that Dokdo "had nothing to do with Japan." (1877)During the Meiji period (1868-1912), the Daijokan (Grand Council of State) received a note of inquiry from Japan's Ministry of Home Affairs about the compilation of land registers for the Shimane Prefecture. The Daijokan issued in 1877 a directive and stated "Regarding Takeshima (Ulleungdo) and another island (Dokdo), Japan has nothing to do with them."



F. Korea's Imperial Edict No. 41



Edict No. 41In 1900, under the reign of King Kojong, the Great Han Empire of Korea issued Imperial Edict No. 41, placing then-Seokdo (Dokdo) under the jurisdiction of Uldo-gun (Ulleungdo). In 1906, Sim Heung-taek, Uldo-gun County Chief, was notified that the eastern islands of Korea had been incorporated into Japan by a survey team from Japan's Shimane Prefecture. Sim right after submitted a report to the Governor of the Gangwon-do (province) in ways to counter the ridiculous and self-contradictory act.

G. Uijeongbu's Directive No. 3
In 1906, the Uijeongbu (The Great Han Empire's State Council) issued Directive No. 3, arguing that Japan's incorporating of Dokdo is groundless. It instructed a reexamination of the incorporation.

H. Japan's invasion goes against international law
In the midst of Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), which had been triggered by Japan's imperialistic invasion scheme since the 1890s, Japan incorporated Dokdo into the Shimane Prefecture by issuing the Shimane Prefecture Public Notice No. 40. The incorporation constituted a violation of international law and cannot be justified under any circumstances because it is a clear infringement on the indisputable sovereignty of Korea over the islands from ancient times to the Great Han Empire.

I. Cairo Declaration after WWII
Korea was annexed to Japan in 1910 and the colonial rule ended in 1945 with Japan's defeat in World War II. In 1943, the U.S., Britain and China issued the Cairo Declaration, vowing hat Japan would "...be expelled from all other territories which she has taken by violence and greed." In 1945 when Korea regained its independence, Dokdo was returned to Korea. Dokdo's exclusion from Japan's territory was reaffirmed in the San Francisco Treaty signed in 1951. In the years following Korea's liberation and to this day, Dokdo has been under the effective control and jurisdiction of Korea.

J. Firm and resolute stance of the Korean Government

Korean Government's position is steady that Dokdo has inherently been Korean territory. It does not regard the Dokdo issue as a matter to be dealt with through diplomatic negotiations or judicial settlement. It will deal firmly and resolutely with any claims denying Korean sovereignty over the islands.

Dokdo,The beginning territory of Korean peninsula,beaing the first splendid sunshine.

Dokdo,The beginning territory of Korean peninsula,beaing the first splendid sunshine.
Came to Dokdo - The beautiful Island.

Dokdo was originally called “Dokseom.” “Dok,” which is a dialectal word of Jolla-do meaning “a stone,” was named in Chinese characters using “Dok,” which means “alone,” and became “Dokdo.”

Dokdo is located at 131˚52'20˝ of east longitude and 37 °14"14 of north latitude, and its administrative address is 1~96, Dokdo-ri, Ulleung-eup, Ulleung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. It is 87.4Km distant from Ulleungdo, 216.8Km from Uljin, and 262Km from Pohang.

Dokdo is a volcanic island formed with hardened lava gushed from around 2,000m below the sea, and is estimated to have happened around 4.6~2.5 million years ago, so around 2 million years older than Ulleungdo (around 2.5 million years ago) and 3.4 million years older than Jejudo (around 1.2 million years ago). However, as it has been weathered by the wind and waves for such a long time, the island has been shaped as it looks today. The total area is 187,554㎡.

Dokdo is largely composed of Dongdo and Seodo, and has 89 affiliated islands which are small rock islets and reefs, and most of them are alkali volcanic rocks resulting from volcanic activities. In addition, most of the rocks are basalt and trachyte. Dongdo and Seodo face each other with a 151m wide strait between them (the shortest distance from coast to coast at low tide).

Dongdo on the southeast side is 98.6m in height, 2.8Km in circumference, and 73,297㎡ in size, and most of marine facilities including manned lighthouse are on this island. There is also the Dongdo wharf that is 1,945㎡(588 pyeong) large and can accommodate a 500-ton ship. Through the wharf, tourists land on the island everyday. In addition, the island has rainwater collection and desalination facilities, producing 1,500ℓ of drinking water a day. This shows the undeniable fact that Dokdo is a part of the Republic of Korea.

Seodo on the northwest side is 168.5m in height, 2.6Km in circumference, and 88,740㎡ in size, and its summit is a steep cone. Currently, there is a lodge for fishermen that is used as a shelter in emergency. Besides, the total area of the affiliated islands is 25,517㎡, and there are various shapes of islands including Crawfish Rock, Gate Rock, Candlestick Rock and Face Rock. The sea area around Dokdo is a blue belt where cold current and warm current meet each other, forming a coastal fishing ground and the Daehwatoi Fishery rich in fish. In addition, Seodo is highly meaningful in terms of its geological, ecological and sociological values as well as in military and strategic values.

Dokdo, which is in the middle of a territorial dispute, is obviously our land since 512 when King Jijeung subjugated the Usan Kingdom in his 13th year as recorded in “Shilla Bongi” of Samguksagi.

Dokdo Tourism and Marine Transport (+82-54-791-4468, 4488)
Dokdo Tourism and Marine Transport
Daea Express Ferry
Tel : +82-54-791-8111~2
FAX : +82-54-791-8113 Tel(Pohang) : +82- 54-242-5111~6
Tel(Mukho) : +82-33-531-5891~2
Tel(Ulleungdo) : +82-54-791-0801~2

introduction busan of south korea

About Busan

Busan is the second largest city in Korea. Its deep harbor and gentle tides have allowed it to grow into the largest container handling port in the country and the fifth largest in the world. The city's natural endowments and rich history have resulted in Busan's increasing reputation as a world class city of tourism and culture, and it is also becoming renowned as an international convention destination.

Busan, a bustling city of approximately 3.5 million residents, is located on the southeastern tip of the Korean peninsula. The size of Busan is 765.64km² which is 0.8% of the whole land of the Korean Peninsula. The natural environment of Busan is a perfect example of harmony between mountains, rivers and sea. Its geography includes a coastline with superb beaches and scenic cliffs, mountains which provide excellent hiking and extraordinary views, and hot springs scattered throughout the city. Busan enjoys four distinct seasons and a temperate climate that never gets too hot or too cold.

Location
Geographically, Busan has the Straits of Korea to its south; Ulsan to the north;Gimhae to the West. Cities that share almost the same latitude with Busan include Jinhae and Gwangju in Korea, as well as Tokyo, Jeongsen, Algiers and Oklahoma City abroad. Busan is eight hours ahead of GMT. As for its geopolitical location, the city comes at the Southern tip of a strip that connects Asia, Siberia and Europe. It also serves as a main gateway to the Pacific Ocean. This location places the city at the center of international sea transportation.

Climate
Busan is located at the southeastern most tip of the Korean peninsula and in the mid-latitude temperate zone, which has seasonal winds. It has four seasons : Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The annual average temperature is 15°C. The annual average precipitation is 1,168.3mm. Busan has strong winds compared to other areas in Korea. Spring begins in March and ends in late June. Cherry blossom trees bloom in late March. and the temperature is very comfortable in April, May and June. The rainy season at the end of June and July signals the beginning of the coming of the summer heat. The highest mean temperatures of around 32°C are at the end of July through mid-August. Fall is from early September through late-November. The weather is nice and cool at this time because of the continental high atmospheric pressure. Winter starts by the end of November and continues until February. but Busan rarely has any snowfalls. The average winter temperature is 3.8°C. Tourists can enjoy Busan throughout all seasons because of the nice weather and beautiful scenery. In summer, the city is crowded with visitors who come to enjoy the beautiful beaches.

Population
From its opening in 1876, the port city of Busan quickly developed into a hub of trade, commerce and industry. This development resulted in a rapid increase in its population, which had already reached 200,000 by 1936. A major leap in Busan's population came with the breakout of the Korean War, which resulted in an endless stream of people into the city. As a result, the population of Busan exceeded 1 million by the end of 1955. Another factor that spurred the population increase was the government policy for economic growth. People from urban areas kept streaming into the city for jobs. By the end of 1994, there were approximately 4 million people who called Busan their home. Since 1995, the population has slowly begun to decrease. As of December 2009, Busan was home to 3,574,340 people.

Jwasuyeong eobang-nori, the fishing songs of korea

Jwasuyeong eobang-nori, the fishing songs

Since Suyeong is a flourishing costal fishery, it also has well-developed Eobang, cooperative association for fishing. Jwasuyeong eobang-nori is the modern version of Obang training and education on anchovy fishing and fishing in an arts form. It is a sort of Eobang song consisting of four parts such as Naewangsori, Sarisori, Garaesori, and Chingchingsori.

The fishing songs of the fishermen those who were being engaged in the coastal fishery on the Bay of suyeong, have been transmitted as the folklore fishery play called the Eubang-nori The conspicuousness of fishing songs is superior and was rewarded the presidential prize, the highest award at the 14th National folkoore Art Contest in 1973, and then was recongnized as a transmitting culture and designated in 1978.

Suyeong(or Jwasuyeong)was in the area of the Left Naval Command near the fishing villages and it is said that both the civilians and the soldiers mutually co-operated in fishing seasons on the Bay of Suyeong.

The songs have been originated from the songs called naewang-sori of fixing and repairing the net and twisting the twines to flip, secondly the songs called sari-sori of throwing the net and pulling up it again, ladling away from the net, thirdly the songs called garae-sori of shovelling out the fishing, finally the songs called ching-ching-sori of exilarating and self-congratulating the bountiful fishing. It may be given as a conclusion that Jwasuyeong fishing songs in general are recongized to be one of the typical folklore plays.

       A regular performance is held every August at the Gwangalli beach.