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'''Daegu''' ({{IPA-ko|tɛɡu|lang}}), (대구, 大邱, literally 'large hill') formerly spelled '''Taegu'''<!--Before changing the name spelling please see note-->,<ref>This romanization of the city's name is in [[McCune-Reischauer]]. It was used prior to the official adoption of the [[Revised Romanization]] by the South Korean Government in 2000.</ref> and officially known as the '''Daegu Metropolitan City''', is a city in [[South Korea]], the fourth in population size after [[Seoul]], [[Busan]], and [[Incheon]], and fell to 4th place in population size of metropolitan area among South Korea (one-fifth of Seoul's 2012 population, young and mass urban migration is cited as the cause. A 2005 census first found that Incheon's population was larger than Daegu's. Still, the city considers itself among one of the three Major cities of South Korea, because [[Incheon]] is attached to the [[Seoul National Capital Area]] transferring over 2.5 million residents. Daegu, therefore, can be said to be the 3rd most populous city, if [[Seoul]] is enlarged by this definition.
'''Daegu''' ({{IPA-ko|tɛɡu|lang}}), (대구, 大邱, literally 'large hill') formerly spelled '''Taegu'''<!--Before changing the name spelling please see note-->,<ref>This romanization of the city's name is in [[McCune-Reischauer]]. It was used prior to the official adoption of the [[Revised Romanization]] by the South Korean Government in 2000.</ref> and officially known as the '''Daegu Metropolitan City''', is a city in [[South Korea]], the fourth in population size after [[Seoul]], [[Busan]], and [[Incheon]], and fell to 4th place in population size of metropolitan area among South Korea (one-fifth of Seoul's 2012 population, young and mass urban migration is cited as the cause. A 2005 census first found that Incheon's population was larger than Daegu's. Still, the city considers itself among one of the three Major cities of South Korea, because [[Incheon]] is attached to the [[Seoul National Capital Area]] transferring over 2.5 million residents, therefore Daegu can be said to be No.3, if [[Seoul]] is enlarged by this definition.

Daegu is a political strongbase of South Korea's Conservative [[Saenuri Party]]. Recently surfaced news, revealed the [[Saenuri Party]] employing full-time masses of unemployed or underemployed university graduates and undergraduates from impoverished regions to generate positive remarks and internet blog articles praising the [[Saenuri Party]]. Foreigners being a rarity in this city are often remarked with a mixture of surprised fascination and/or contempt- (Japanese,the most - Chinese Nationals - Others - Europeans, the least).

[[United Nations]] [[Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination]] recognizes a powerful entrenched South Korean belief of Racial Purity. South Korean children are indoctrinated within South Korea's National Education System into the concepts of racial purity and supremacy over all other ethnic minorities*[http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2013/05/20/2013052001160.html]. Daegu is proud to be the city has most successfully realized its belief of Racial Purity([[Korean ethnic nationalism]])([[Racism in South Korea]])


The city is the capital and principal city of the surrounding [[Gyeongsangbuk-do]] [[Administrative divisions of South Korea|province]], it is not a legal part of the province. The two sectors are combining and are frequently referred to as [[Daegu-Gyeongbuk]] as a convenience.
The city is the capital and principal city of the surrounding [[Gyeongsangbuk-do]] [[Administrative divisions of South Korea|province]], it is not a legal part of the province. The two sectors are combining and are frequently referred to as [[Daegu-Gyeongbuk]] as a convenience.
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Daegu is located in south-eastern Korea about 80&nbsp;km distance 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]] [[List of regions of Korea|region]].
Daegu is located in south-eastern Korea about 80&nbsp;km distance 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]] [[List of regions of Korea|region]].


Daegu was once known as a "Textile City", thriving in the 1970s and 1980s.<ref>[http://www.abcarticledirectory.com/Article/Daegu---The-City-of-Textile-Industry/1669374 Daegu - The City of Textile Industry]</ref> Textile production was the centre of the city. With the establishment of the [[Daegu-Gyeongbuk Free Economic Zone]] in August 2008, Daegu has since been attempting to become a nexus of fashion and high-tech industry.
Daegu was once known as a "Textile City" thriving in the 1970s and 1980s.<ref>[http://www.abcarticledirectory.com/Article/Daegu---The-City-of-Textile-Industry/1669374 Daegu - The City of Textile Industry]</ref> Textile production was the centre of the city. With the establishment of the [[Daegu-Gyeongbuk Free Economic Zone]], Daegu is still attempting to become a fashion and high-tech industries, since August 13, 2008.


==Featured in World News==
==Featured in World News==


Daegu was the host city of the [[2011 World Championships in Athletics]] and the [[2003 Summer Universiade]].<ref name="22nd SUMMER UNIVERSIADE">FISU [http://www.fisu.net/en/Daegu-2003-321.html 22nd SUMMER UNIVERSIADE] Retrieved 2011-10-12</ref> It also hosted four matches in the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]].
Daegu was the host city of the [[2011 World Championships in Athletics]] and the [[2003 Summer Universiade]].<ref name="22nd SUMMER UNIVERSIADE">FISU [http://www.fisu.net/en/Daegu-2003-321.html 22nd SUMMER UNIVERSIADE] Retrieved 2011-10-12</ref> It also hosted four matches in the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]]. It stills prides itself so much and it has kept public promotional material of [[2011 World Championships in Athletics]] up ever since. [[Usain Bolt]], the athletic hero to Daegu, is featured in advertisement selling Samsung cameras in all local Daegu cinemas before the commencement of each Summer Blockbuster movie June 2013.

===Mass Casualty Tragedies===
[[Daegu subway fire]] a one-man mass murder event garnering world news coverage on Feb 18, 2003 which horrifyingly immolated and subsequently killed a shocking 198 unsuspecting passengers and left a further 147 people injured and scarred by fire. *[http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2003/02/25/2003022561029.html] The mass-scale horrific murder triggered futile emotional outbursts, sending of sympathy and outrage from Daegu, South Korea and some other countries. The perpetrator, a 56-year old male unemployed depressive, was himself consumed in the firestorm that swept the train cars in a mere 2 minutes. A struggle between Intervening onboard passengers and the weeping firebrand, who trembled as he struggled to ignite his deadly petroleum cargo failed, and a fire in the train began.

Witness Reports hold that the then train operator Choi Sang-yeol panicked, opened Train 1080's door only slightly, then shutting them permenantly on 79 passengers desperately attempting to escape. Investigations showed that as Choi fled the emblazed train early into events. Choi removed Train 1080's master key, shutting down all electrical power, sealing all doors and all means egress. All 79 passengers were killed.
Toxic fumes rapidly filled all cabins as the fire engulfed all, oxidising foam within the train's bodywork, plastic seating and vinyl materials. The effect of those burning train materials was a huge amount of deadly gases that led to agonising poisoning of those who escaped the touch of fire. Topside, the combined effort of 1,300 of Daegu's firefighters were impeded and severely delayed by the complexity of toxic fumes, near-zero visibility and a firestorm at a depth of Sub-basement level 3.
A failure to notify and transmit crucial on-going information for coordination resulted in another train from the opposite direction arriving at Jungangro Subway Station, stopping directly next to by then a fully-emblazed Train 1080. This simple, yet tragic act of neglect tripled the death count to 198 killed and many more fire victims.
Train operator Choi attempted fleeing thereafter, with coordinated aid of officials of the Transport Authority. The master key of the incinerated Train 1080 was found at the control station of another train station. 6 more Transport Authority officials were later arrested for conspiracy to cover-up details to the Mass Murder Event, including aiding Train Operator Choi to escape out of the city.

Once a year, local news channels highlight the event, featuring a group of non-specific men in suits offering a wreath of white flowers and doing a bow before television. The event is recapped summarily and described as a tragedy rather than an act of murder.
Daegu subway construction site explosion on April 28, 1995 which killed 101 and injured 202. A Consolation Pagoda for the dead and maimed erected in Haksan park. <br>


==Modern Daegu==
==Modern Daegu==
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===Economic Situation===
===Economic Situation===


Daegu was a manufacturing industry city that experienced widespread decline in the 1990s. The GDP per capita 2010 at USD$18,887 per annum is the [[The GDP per capita is the lowest of South Korea|lowest of South Korea]]. The primary industries are still [[textile]]s, [[metal]]s and [[machinery]]. In the fiscal year 2010, Daegu had a regional GDP of $45,387 million with 7.2% real GDP growth rate. The quality of the [[apple]]s grown around the city is renowned in Korea. Many companies such as [[Daegu Bank]], [[Korea Delphi]], [[Hwasung corp.]], and [[TaeguTec]] are situated in this city, and [[Samsung]](1938, moved to Seoul 1947) and [[Kolon]] prosecuted for intellectual theft ([[DuPont v. Kolon Industries]]) were founded here. Many factories are located in the industrial complexes situated in the west and north sides of the city; for example, Seongseo Industrial Complex, West Daegu Industrial Complex, and Daegu Dyeing Industrial Complex.
Daegu was a manufacturing industry city that experienced widespread decline in the 1990s. The GDP per capita 2010 at USD$18,887 per annum is the [[The GDP per capita is the lowest of South Korea|lowest of South Korea]]. The primary industries are still [[textile]]s, [[metal]]s and [[machinery]]. In the year 2010, Daegu had a regional GDP of $45,387 million with 7.2% real GDP growth rate. The quality of the [[apple]]s 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]](1938, moved to Seoul 1947) and [[Kolon]] prosecuted for intellectual theft ([[DuPont v. Kolon Industries]]) were founded here. Many 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.


Daegu was primarily a textile production hub in South Korea in the 1960s. Daegu's economy, however, started to decline at the beginning of the 1970s and experienced the collapse of its textile industry in 1990s. The latter of two was caused by export-oriented policies of China's previously import-oriented textile industry.
Daegu was primarily a textile production hub in South Korea in the 1960s. It experienced a decline at the beginning of the 1970s and the collapse of its industry by 1990 due to China's textile export focus and economic reforms starting 1978.


[[SAMSUNG]] previously known as Samsung Sanghoe (삼성상회, 三星商會), is often cited by locals to have been founded in Daegu City circa 1938. [[Samsung]] Sanghoe, then a small trading company of 40 employees, dealt in locally produced groceries and produced its own noodles. The company prospered and in 1947 uprooted its headquarters and all major operations from Daegu to [[Seoul]], where history began charting Samsung's meteoric rise to prominence.
[[SAMSUNG]] previously known as Samsung Sanghoe (삼성상회, 三星商會), is often cited by locals to have been founded in Daegu City circa 1938. [[Samsung]] Sanghoe, then a small trading company of 40 employees, dealt in locally produced groceries and produced its own noodles. The company prospered and in 1947 uprooted its headquarters and all major operations from Daegu to [[Seoul]], where history began charting Samsung's meteoric rise to prominence.

To date, there is no significant [[Multinational corporation|Multi-National Corporation]] industrial or economic presence within Daegu. With the [[http://wiki.riteme.site/wiki/Collapse_Jared_Diamond|collapse]] collapse of tens of thousands of small and medium textile businesses, Daegu's current situation resembles that of [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan, USA]] in creeping poverty and urban decay. Daegu is known for having one of the highest ratios of elderly citizens and the lowest GDP per capita in all of South Korea, at HKD146,525.[[[[List_of_South_Korean_regions_by_GDP|List of South Korean Regions by GDP]]]].


Manufacturing mobile phone component factories for [[Anycall]] ([[Samsung Mobile]]) and [[POSCO]]'s factories are located a 2–3 hours drive from the city. Daegu and its neighbouring cities were designated for the [[Daegu-Gyeongbuk Free Economic Zone]] by the Central Government in the year 2008.
Manufacturing mobile phone component factories for [[Anycall]] ([[Samsung Mobile]]) and [[POSCO]]'s factories are located a 2–3 hours drive from the city. Daegu and its neighbouring cities were designated for the [[Daegu-Gyeongbuk Free Economic Zone]] by the Central Government in the year 2008.


Historically, Daegu was a 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 location. Traditional markets like [[Seomun Market]] still exist in the city.
History says Daegu was a 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 location. Traditional markets like [[Seomun Market]] still exist in the city.


Daegu had been a booming economic center in Korea before the collapse of the textile industry (which was the entirety of Daegu's economy) gradually suppressed the overall economic growth. Its GDP per capita has plummeted significantly as a result.
Additionally, Daegu was an economic city in Korea, after Seoul, Busan and Incheon. However, due to the collapse of the textile industry which was the entirety of Daegu's economy, the overall economic growth has halted and GDP per capita (2010) fallen to the lowest levels of South Korea.


Subtropical warm climate condition provides the region with high quality apples and yellow melons. The fruit farming business supports Daegu's economy. Due to the high unemployment and a stagnant economy, Daegu’s population began to decrease steadily from 2003, especially among graduates from its tertiary insitution. The ultra-conservative Daegu government has begun thinking about economic restorations and improving the city’s fashion industry, but has yet to improve any of the [[IMF]] key performance indicators for the city.
Subtropical warm climate condition provides the region with high quality apples and yellow melons. The fruit farming business supports Daegu's economy. Due to the high unemployment and a stagnant economy, Daegu’s population began to decrease steadily from 2003, especially among graduates from it's tertiary insitution. The ultra-conservative Daegu government has begun thinking about economic restorations and improving the city’s fashion industry, but has yet to improve any of the [[IMF]] key performance indicators for the city.


===Politics===
===Politics===
[[File:Daegu city hall context.jpg|thumb|right|Daegu City Hall]]
[[File:Daegu city hall context.jpg|thumb|right|Daegu City Hall]]
There are two local governments in the city, the Daegu Metropolitan Government in [[Jung District, Daegu|Jung District]] and Gyeongbuk Provincial Government in [[Buk District, Daegu|Buk District]]. 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 [[Saenuri Party]], the main [[Conservatism|conservative]] political party in South Korea. Daegu is the base of the party and has produced a exactly seven [http://wiki.riteme.site/wiki/List_of_Presidents_of_South_Korea|Presidents of the Republic of Korea], including the famed conservative military dictator [[Park Chung-Hee]].
Daegu is the heart of South Korea's Conservative [[Saenuri Party]]. There are two local governments in the city, the Daegu Metropolitan Government in [[Jung District, Daegu|Jung District]] and Gyeongbuk Provincial Government in [[Buk District, Daegu|Buk District]]. 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 [[Saenuri Party]], the main [[Conservatism|conservative]] political party in South Korea. Daegu is the base of the party and has produced a exactly seven [http://wiki.riteme.site/wiki/List_of_Presidents_of_South_Korea|Presidents of the Republic of Korea], including the famed conservative military dictator [[Park Chung-Hee]]. As the capital of the Korean conservatives, Daegu City has ultra-conservative political people.


===Fashion industry===
===Fashion industry===
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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 killing]]s 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]].
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 killing]]s 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 high 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 and racial stereotype remain powerful in Daegu today. Daegu is a political hotspot for Korea's ruling [[Saenuri Party]].
In the second half of the twentieth century, the city underwent high 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 and racial stereotype remain powerful in Daegu today. Daegu is a political hotspot for Korea's ruling [[Saenuri Party]].
In the 1980s, Daegu separated from Gyeongsangbuk-do and became a separately administered provincial-level [[Special cities of Korea|Directly Governed City]] (''Jikhalsi''), and was redesignated as a [[Special cities of Korea|Metropolitan City]] (''Gwangyeoksi'') in 1995. Today, Daegu is the now 4th most populous metropolitan area in South Korea, and experiencing urban emigration.
In the 1980s, Daegu separated from Gyeongsangbuk-do and became a separately administered provincial-level [[Special cities of Korea|Directly Governed City]] (''Jikhalsi''), and was redesignated as a [[Special cities of Korea|Metropolitan City]] (''Gwangyeoksi'') in 1995. Today, Daegu is the now 4th most populous metropolitan area in South Korea, and experiencing urban emigration..

===Daegu & the International===

Daegu is largely a homogeneous community that includes few non-Koreans. However, a number of immigrants from Uzbekistan [[South Asia|South]] and Philippines[[Southeast Asia]] work cheaply in low-skilled automotive-parts factories on the city's west side, including occasional Mongolian students earning part-time wages. In addition, there is a tiny group of [[English language|English]]-speaking Westerners working in privately-operated tuition centers known as Academy and university programs as seen in [http://en.knu.ac.kr/bbs/board.html?code=news05&inc=0 Kyungpook People Highlights]. The American military bases are also home to six thousand Americans. Chinese Nationals form the 96% majority of studying Korean Language at universities because in Daegu because life is safer in comparison to China and future income-earning potential is three times that of a Beijing worker. There are less than 30 graduate and post-graduate students from Asian countries besides China. In Daegu, Korean food overwhelmingly dominates; Chinese, Japanese and Western food taste nothing as good as they would if they were cooked correctly.

Foreign nationals form only three classes of long-term residents:
In descending numbers:
(1) US Army personnel and their families garrisoned within three giant Military Bases located in Daegu
(2) Immigrant workers typically from Uzbekistan and Philippines hired to labour cheaply in Seo-Gu factories(all of West Daegu)
(3) Foreign English Teachers from the USA or Britain clustering together. The white-skinned is held by local Daegu beliefs in improved teaching quality derived, and also a point of bragging to others - a popular Daegu boast, "My son has a white-skinned English teacher.".

Short-term Residents:
(1) Japanese & Chinese National exchange or language students (closest neigbours) who will find the racial climate: emotional & touchy. Japanese: Averages 3 to 4 months before permanent departure. Chinese: 7–9 months before permanent departure, or VISA expiration and deportation.
(2) Adventurous Backpackers passing through for two days as they tour the Korean Peninsula

Daegu hosts three [[United States|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.


===Administrative divisions===
===Administrative divisions===
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*[[Nam District, Daegu|Nam District]] (남구, 南區) – ''means the south district.''
*[[Nam District, Daegu|Nam District]] (남구, 南區) – ''means the south district.''
*[[Buk District, Daegu|Buk District]] (북구, 北區) – ''means the north district.''
*[[Buk District, Daegu|Buk District]] (북구, 北區) – ''means the north district.''
*[[Suseong District]] (수성구, 壽城區)
*[[Suseong District]] (수성구, 壽城區) - the richest and most raunchy district in Daegu
*[[Dalseo District]] (달서구, 達西區)
*[[Dalseo District]] (달서구, 達西區)
*[[Dalseong County]] (달성군, 達城郡)
*[[Dalseong County]] (달성군, 達城郡)
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{{Main|History of Daegu}}
{{Main|History of Daegu}}


In ancient times, there was a proto-country named [[Jinhan]], to which the current Daegu area belonged. Daegu was later part of the [[Silla Kingdom]] which unified the [[Korean Peninsula]]. During the [[Joseon Dynasty]] period, the city was the capital of [[Gyeongsang-do]] which was one of traditional [[Eight Provinces of Korea|eight provinces]] of the country. Daegu was an economic motor of Korea during the 1960s–1980s period. The humid subtropical climate of Daegu is ideal for producing high quality apples, thus the nickname, "Apple City".<ref>[http://www.eslstarter.com/south-korea-province-guide-daegu.php Guide to Daegu]</ref>
In ancient times, there was a proto-country named [[Jinhan]], to which the current Daegu area belonged. Later Daegu was part of the [[Silla Kingdom]] which unified the [[Korean Peninsula]]. During the [[Joseon Dynasty]] period, the city was the capital of [[Gyeongsang-do]] which was one of traditional [[Eight Provinces of Korea|eight provinces]] of the country. Daegu was an economic motor of Korea during the 1960s–1980s period. The humid subtropical climate of Daegu is ideal for producing high quality apples, thus the nickname, "Apple City".<ref>[http://www.eslstarter.com/south-korea-province-guide-daegu.php Guide to Daegu]</ref>


===Prehistory and early history===
===Prehistory and early history===
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==Culture and sightseeing==
==Culture and sightseeing==
Generally Daegu is well-known among local South Koreans as one of the nation's most conservative cities. [[Buddhism]] has been prevalent to this day as there are still many temples, and monks in tattered grey and orange robes can be seen asking for alms to alleviate their hunger and need. [[Korean Confucianism|Confucianism]] is also a fashionable religion in Daegu, with a medium-sized academy based in the city. New and old style Christian churches can also be seen inside this city.
Generally Daegu is famous within among South Koreans as the nation's most conservative city inheriting and upholding stereotypes consistently back to their ancestors datings back to 1910 . An inland city with no international seaports. It is a metropolitan area in South Korea, aside from that fact, is completely different and opposite to [[Seoul]]. [[Buddhism]] has been existing; today there are still many temples, and monks in tattered grey and orange robes can be seen asking for alms to alleviate their hunger and need. [[Korean Confucianism|Confucianism]] is also a fashionable religion in Daegu, with a medium-sized academy based in the city. New and old style Christian churches can also be seen inside this city.


===Sights===
===Sights===
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[[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, [[Korean Buddhism|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.
[[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, [[Korean Buddhism|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.
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===
===Downtown and shopping===
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[[File:Daegu KNU medicine.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kyungpook National University]], School of Medicine]]
[[File:Daegu KNU medicine.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kyungpook National University]], School of Medicine]]
[[File:KMU MAIN.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Keimyung University]], main building]]
[[File:KMU MAIN.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Keimyung University]], main building]]
Daegu contains educational institutions at the provincial level in 5 major institutions. Many of their main campuses are located in[[Gyeongsan]] district, a 1-hour bus ride from the city centre, which serves the Daegu region as a [[college town]]. [[Kyungpook National University]] (KNU) is a [[national university|national]] [[doctoral university|research university]] that places 501-550th in worldwide rankings. It attracts many students from Daegu and immediate surrounding regions. Daegu has two of private universities, [[Keimyung University]] and [[Yeungnam University]]. {{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} There are some smaller private universities such as [[Catholic University of Daegu]] and [[Daegu University]]. [[Daegu National University of Education]] offers elementary education training.
Daegu contains educational institutions at the provincial level in 5 major institutions, as compared to Seoul's 3,000 higher education institutions. Many of their main campuses are located in[[Gyeongsan]] district, a 1-hour bus ride from the city centre, which serves the Daegu region as a [[college town]]. [[Kyungpook National University]] (KNU) is a [[national university|national]] [[doctoral university|research university]] that places 501-550th in worldwide rankings. It attracts students exclusively from Daegu and immediate surrounding regions, but very few international students. Daegu's graduating top 20th percentile of high-school students, universally opt to pursue higher education in Seoul, South Korea for it's greater opportunities. Daegu has two of private universities as compared to Seoul's three thousand universities, [[Keimyung University]] and [[Yeungnam University]]. {{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} There are some smaller private universities such as [[Catholic University of Daegu]] and [[Daegu University]]. [[Daegu National University of Education]] offers elementary education training.


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]].
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]].
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons|Daegu}}
{{Commons|Daegu}}
*[http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2003/02/25/2003022561029.html]
*[http://english.daegu.go.kr/ City website] {{en icon}}
*[http://english.daegu.go.kr/ City website] {{en icon}}
*[http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?areaCode=4 Daegu : Official Site of Korea Tourism Org]
*[http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?areaCode=4 Daegu : Official Site of Korea Tourism Org]

Revision as of 05:23, 25 June 2013

35°52′N 128°36′E / 35.867°N 128.600°E / 35.867; 128.600

Daegu
대구
Metropolitan City
Daegu Metropolitan City
  transcription(s)
 • Hangul대구광역시
 • Hanja大邱廣域市
 • Revised RomanizationDaegu-gwangyeoksi
 • McCune-ReischauerTaegu-kwangyŏksi
Clockwise from top: Cityscape of Daegu, Seomun Market, Daegu City Hall, Kyungpook National University, and Donghwasa Temple
Clockwise from top: Cityscape of Daegu, Seomun Market, Daegu City Hall, Kyungpook National University, and Donghwasa Temple
Flag of Daegu
Flag
Official logo of Daegu
Seal of Daegu
Map of South Korea with Daegu highlighted
Map of South Korea with Daegu highlighted
Country South Korea
RegionYeongnam
Districts7
Government
 • MayorKim Bum-il (김범일)
Area
 • Total
884.10 km2 (341.35 sq mi)
Population
 (December 31, 2012[1])
 • Total
2,527,566
 • Density2,900/km2 (7,400/sq mi)
 • Dialect
Gyeongsang
FlowerMagnolia
TreeFir
BirdEagle
Websitedaegu.go.kr Template:En icon

Daegu (Korean: [tɛɡu]), (대구, 大邱, literally 'large hill') formerly spelled Taegu,[2] and officially known as the Daegu Metropolitan City, is a city in South Korea, the fourth in population size after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and fell to 4th place in population size of metropolitan area among South Korea (one-fifth of Seoul's 2012 population, young and mass urban migration is cited as the cause. A 2005 census first found that Incheon's population was larger than Daegu's. Still, the city considers itself among one of the three Major cities of South Korea, because Incheon is attached to the Seoul National Capital Area transferring over 2.5 million residents, therefore Daegu can be said to be No.3, if Seoul is enlarged by this definition.

Daegu is a political strongbase of South Korea's Conservative Saenuri Party. Recently surfaced news, revealed the Saenuri Party employing full-time masses of unemployed or underemployed university graduates and undergraduates from impoverished regions to generate positive remarks and internet blog articles praising the Saenuri Party. Foreigners being a rarity in this city are often remarked with a mixture of surprised fascination and/or contempt- (Japanese,the most - Chinese Nationals - Others - Europeans, the least).

United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recognizes a powerful entrenched South Korean belief of Racial Purity. South Korean children are indoctrinated within South Korea's National Education System into the concepts of racial purity and supremacy over all other ethnic minorities*[1]. Daegu is proud to be the city has most successfully realized its belief of Racial Purity(Korean ethnic nationalism)(Racism in South Korea)

The city is the capital and principal city of the surrounding Gyeongsangbuk-do province, it is not a legal part of the province. The two sectors are combining and are frequently referred to as Daegu-Gyeongbuk as a convenience.

Daegu is located in south-eastern Korea about 80 km distance 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.

Daegu was once known as a "Textile City" thriving in the 1970s and 1980s.[3] Textile production was the centre of the city. With the establishment of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Free Economic Zone, Daegu is still attempting to become a fashion and high-tech industries, since August 13, 2008.

Daegu was the host city of the 2011 World Championships in Athletics and the 2003 Summer Universiade.[4] It also hosted four matches in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. It stills prides itself so much and it has kept public promotional material of 2011 World Championships in Athletics up ever since. Usain Bolt, the athletic hero to Daegu, is featured in advertisement selling Samsung cameras in all local Daegu cinemas before the commencement of each Summer Blockbuster movie June 2013.

Mass Casualty Tragedies

Daegu subway fire a one-man mass murder event garnering world news coverage on Feb 18, 2003 which horrifyingly immolated and subsequently killed a shocking 198 unsuspecting passengers and left a further 147 people injured and scarred by fire. *[2] The mass-scale horrific murder triggered futile emotional outbursts, sending of sympathy and outrage from Daegu, South Korea and some other countries. The perpetrator, a 56-year old male unemployed depressive, was himself consumed in the firestorm that swept the train cars in a mere 2 minutes. A struggle between Intervening onboard passengers and the weeping firebrand, who trembled as he struggled to ignite his deadly petroleum cargo failed, and a fire in the train began.

Witness Reports hold that the then train operator Choi Sang-yeol panicked, opened Train 1080's door only slightly, then shutting them permenantly on 79 passengers desperately attempting to escape. Investigations showed that as Choi fled the emblazed train early into events. Choi removed Train 1080's master key, shutting down all electrical power, sealing all doors and all means egress. All 79 passengers were killed. Toxic fumes rapidly filled all cabins as the fire engulfed all, oxidising foam within the train's bodywork, plastic seating and vinyl materials. The effect of those burning train materials was a huge amount of deadly gases that led to agonising poisoning of those who escaped the touch of fire. Topside, the combined effort of 1,300 of Daegu's firefighters were impeded and severely delayed by the complexity of toxic fumes, near-zero visibility and a firestorm at a depth of Sub-basement level 3. A failure to notify and transmit crucial on-going information for coordination resulted in another train from the opposite direction arriving at Jungangro Subway Station, stopping directly next to by then a fully-emblazed Train 1080. This simple, yet tragic act of neglect tripled the death count to 198 killed and many more fire victims.

Train operator Choi attempted fleeing thereafter, with coordinated aid of officials of the Transport Authority. The master key of the incinerated Train 1080 was found at the control station of another train station. 6 more Transport Authority officials were later arrested for conspiracy to cover-up details to the Mass Murder Event, including aiding Train Operator Choi to escape out of the city.

Once a year, local news channels highlight the event, featuring a group of non-specific men in suits offering a wreath of white flowers and doing a bow before television. The event is recapped summarily and described as a tragedy rather than an act of murder.

Daegu subway construction site explosion on April 28, 1995 which killed 101 and injured 202. A Consolation Pagoda for the dead and maimed erected in Haksan park.

Modern Daegu

Economic Situation

Daegu was a manufacturing industry city that experienced widespread decline in the 1990s. The GDP per capita 2010 at USD$18,887 per annum is the lowest of South Korea. The primary industries are still textiles, metals and machinery. In the year 2010, Daegu had a regional GDP of $45,387 million with 7.2% real GDP growth rate. 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(1938, moved to Seoul 1947) and Kolon prosecuted for intellectual theft (DuPont v. Kolon Industries) were founded here. Many 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.

Daegu was primarily a textile production hub in South Korea in the 1960s. It experienced a decline at the beginning of the 1970s and the collapse of its industry by 1990 due to China's textile export focus and economic reforms starting 1978.

SAMSUNG previously known as Samsung Sanghoe (삼성상회, 三星商會), is often cited by locals to have been founded in Daegu City circa 1938. Samsung Sanghoe, then a small trading company of 40 employees, dealt in locally produced groceries and produced its own noodles. The company prospered and in 1947 uprooted its headquarters and all major operations from Daegu to Seoul, where history began charting Samsung's meteoric rise to prominence.

To date, there is no significant Multi-National Corporation industrial or economic presence within Daegu. With the [[3]] collapse of tens of thousands of small and medium textile businesses, Daegu's current situation resembles that of Detroit, Michigan, USA in creeping poverty and urban decay. Daegu is known for having one of the highest ratios of elderly citizens and the lowest GDP per capita in all of South Korea, at HKD146,525.[[List of South Korean Regions by GDP]].

Manufacturing mobile phone component factories for Anycall (Samsung Mobile) and POSCO's factories are located a 2–3 hours drive from the city. Daegu and its neighbouring cities were designated for the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Free Economic Zone by the Central Government in the year 2008.

History says Daegu was a 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 location. Traditional markets like Seomun Market still exist in the city.

Additionally, Daegu was an economic city in Korea, after Seoul, Busan and Incheon. However, due to the collapse of the textile industry which was the entirety of Daegu's economy, the overall economic growth has halted and GDP per capita (2010) fallen to the lowest levels of South Korea.

Subtropical warm climate condition provides the region with high quality apples and yellow melons. The fruit farming business supports Daegu's economy. Due to the high unemployment and a stagnant economy, Daegu’s population began to decrease steadily from 2003, especially among graduates from it's tertiary insitution. The ultra-conservative Daegu government has begun thinking about economic restorations and improving the city’s fashion industry, but has yet to improve any of the IMF key performance indicators for the city.

Politics

Daegu City Hall

Daegu is the heart of South Korea's Conservative Saenuri Party. There are two local governments in the city, the Daegu Metropolitan Government in Jung District and Gyeongbuk Provincial Government in Buk District. 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 Saenuri Party, the main conservative political party in South Korea. Daegu is the base of the party and has produced a exactly seven of the Republic of Korea, including the famed conservative military dictator Park Chung-Hee. As the capital of the Korean conservatives, Daegu City has ultra-conservative political people.

Fashion industry

Beginning in the late 1990s, Daegu had made efforts to promote Daegu fashion industry based on its textile and clothing manufacturing industries under the self-proclaimed 'Daegu: Fashion City'. The city opened 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. It even named itself a Sister City to Milan, Italy to garner support for its Fashion push. A town built for the textile-fashion industries is was under construction in Bongmu-dong, northeastern Daegu, but has remained half-constructed for years due to a lack of tenants and funding for the project. The district, officially named Esiapolis, wants to be the fashion hub of East Asia. Textile complexes, textile-fashion institutions, one more international school, fashion malls as well as residential areas development plans for the district have been put on hold for 5 years (as of mid-2013).[5]

Violent Modern Histories

After the liberation in 1945, Daegu was a hotbed of unrest. In October 1946, the Daegu October Incident took place, one of the most serious incidents of unrest after the foundation of South Korea.[6] 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.[7] It was also the site of major demonstrations on February 28, 1960, prior to the fraudulent presidential election of that year.[8] Daegu and all of North Gyeongsang saw heavy guerrilla activity in the late 1940s, as thousands of refugees arrived from the fighting in Jeolla.[9] In November 1948, a unit in Daegu joined the mutiny which had begun in Yeosu the previous month.[10] 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 high 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 and racial stereotype remain powerful in Daegu today. Daegu is a political hotspot for Korea's ruling Saenuri 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 now 4th most populous metropolitan area in South Korea, and experiencing urban emigration..

Daegu & the International

Daegu is largely a homogeneous community that includes few non-Koreans. However, a number of immigrants from Uzbekistan South and PhilippinesSoutheast Asia work cheaply in low-skilled automotive-parts factories on the city's west side, including occasional Mongolian students earning part-time wages. In addition, there is a tiny group of English-speaking Westerners working in privately-operated tuition centers known as Academy and university programs as seen in Kyungpook People Highlights. The American military bases are also home to six thousand Americans. Chinese Nationals form the 96% majority of studying Korean Language at universities because in Daegu because life is safer in comparison to China and future income-earning potential is three times that of a Beijing worker. There are less than 30 graduate and post-graduate students from Asian countries besides China. In Daegu, Korean food overwhelmingly dominates; Chinese, Japanese and Western food taste nothing as good as they would if they were cooked correctly.

Foreign nationals form only three classes of long-term residents: In descending numbers: (1) US Army personnel and their families garrisoned within three giant Military Bases located in Daegu (2) Immigrant workers typically from Uzbekistan and Philippines hired to labour cheaply in Seo-Gu factories(all of West Daegu) (3) Foreign English Teachers from the USA or Britain clustering together. The white-skinned is held by local Daegu beliefs in improved teaching quality derived, and also a point of bragging to others - a popular Daegu boast, "My son has a white-skinned English teacher.".

Short-term Residents: (1) Japanese & Chinese National exchange or language students (closest neigbours) who will find the racial climate: emotional & touchy. Japanese: Averages 3 to 4 months before permanent departure. Chinese: 7–9 months before permanent departure, or VISA expiration and deportation. (2) Adventurous Backpackers passing through for two days as they tour the Korean Peninsula

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.

Administrative divisions

The 7 districts and 1 county of Daegu.
Main article: List of districts and county of Daegu

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

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

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),[11] and the City's highest record temperature was 40.0 °C (104 °F).[12]

Climate data for Daegu (1981−2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °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)
Mean daily minimum °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)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 20.6
(0.81) 		28.2
(1.11) 		47.1
(1.85) 		62.9
(2.48) 		80.0
(3.15) 		142.6
(5.61) 		224.0
(8.82) 		235.9
(9.29) 		143.5
(5.65) 		33.8
(1.33) 		30.5
(1.20) 		15.3
(0.60) 		1,064.4
(41.91)
Average 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
Average relative 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
Mean monthly 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
Source: Korea Meteorological Administration [13]

History

Main article: History of Daegu

In ancient times, there was a proto-country named Jinhan, to which the current Daegu area belonged. Later Daegu was part of the Silla Kingdom which unified the Korean Peninsula. During the Joseon Dynasty period, the city was the capital of Gyeongsang-do which was one of traditional eight provinces of the country. Daegu was an economic motor of Korea during the 1960s–1980s period. The humid subtropical climate of Daegu is ideal for producing high quality apples, thus the nickname, "Apple City".[14]

Prehistory and early history

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.[15] Dongcheon-dong is one of the substantial Mumun agricultural villages that have been excavated.[16] 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[citation needed]. 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 can be seen, and relics have been 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.[17] 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.[18] 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.[19] 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.[15]

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.[20] However, this edition was destroyed when the temple was sacked in 1254, during the Mongol invasions of Korea.[21]

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.[22] 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.[23] 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.[24]

Culture and sightseeing

Generally Daegu is famous within among South Koreans as the nation's most conservative city inheriting and upholding stereotypes consistently back to their ancestors datings back to 1910 . An inland city with no international seaports. It is a metropolitan area in South Korea, aside from that fact, is completely different and opposite to Seoul. Buddhism has been existing; today there are still many temples, and monks in tattered grey and orange robes can be seen asking for alms to alleviate their hunger and need. Confucianism is also a fashionable religion in Daegu, with a medium-sized academy based in the city. New and old style Christian churches can also be seen inside this 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[25] 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 (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.[26]

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.

Interest 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 Art Museum

Theaters

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. The event was the fourth IAAF World Championships in Athletics to be held outside Europe, and the first games in mainland Asia. It was 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.[4] 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 BC 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.

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.[27] 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 education and zealotry are highest in the country.

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
Keimyung University, main building

Daegu contains educational institutions at the provincial level in 5 major institutions, as compared to Seoul's 3,000 higher education institutions. Many of their main campuses are located inGyeongsan district, a 1-hour bus ride from the city centre, which serves the Daegu region as a college town. Kyungpook National University (KNU) is a national research university that places 501-550th in worldwide rankings. It attracts students exclusively from Daegu and immediate surrounding regions, but very few international students. Daegu's graduating top 20th percentile of high-school students, universally opt to pursue higher education in Seoul, South Korea for it's greater opportunities. Daegu has two of private universities as compared to Seoul's three thousand universities, Keimyung University and Yeungnam University. [citation needed] There are some smaller private universities such as Catholic University of Daegu and Daegu University. Daegu National University of Education offers elementary education training.

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.[29] The station re-opened in 2004 after extensive renovations serving 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.[29] 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 1200 won on distance and 1100 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.

People who started in Daegu

Leaders
Industrialists
Religious
Writers/composers
  • Hyeon Jin-geon – novelist
  • Yi Sang-hwa – poet
  • Hyeon Je-myeong – composer
  • Jaegwon Kim – philosopher
Actors
Sports
Beauties
Idols
Others
  • Shin Jung Ah - female con artist who fabricated Yale diploma which brought an international dispute.
  • Catherine Baillie – from New Zealand, honorary ambassador for the city, actress

Sister cities

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Daegu Metropolitan City Web-site
  2. ^ This romanization of the city's name is in McCune-Reischauer. It was used prior to the official adoption of the Revised Romanization by the South Korean Government in 2000.
  3. ^ Daegu - The City of Textile Industry
  4. ^ a b FISU 22nd SUMMER UNIVERSIADE Retrieved 2011-10-12
  5. ^ Template:Ko icon http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/11/24/2009112401092.html The Chosun Ilbo (2009-11-25)
  6. ^ Lee (1984), p. 377.
  7. ^ Green Left – Features: HISTORICAL FEATURE: The Korean War – a war of counter-revolution
  8. ^ Lee (1984), p. 384.
  9. ^ Cumings (1997), pp. 243–244.
  10. ^ Nahm (1996), p. 379.
  11. ^ 기후자료극값 1월 일최저기온, 대구(143)
  12. ^ 기후자료극값 8월 일최고기온, 대구(143)
  13. ^ "평년값자료(1981−2010) 대구(143)". Korea Meteorological Administration. Retrieved 2011−05−27. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  14. ^ Guide to Daegu
  15. ^ a b YUM (Yeungnam University Museum). Siji-eui Munhwayujeok VIII: Chwirakji Bonmun [Cultural Sites of Siji VIII: Settlement Site Text]. Research Report No. 33. Yeungnam University Museum, Gyeongsan, 1999b.
  16. ^ YICP (Yongnam Institute of Cultural Properties). Daegu Dongcheon-dong Chwirak Yujeok [The Settlement Site at Dongcheon-dong, Daegu]. 3 vols. Research Report of Antiquities, Vol. 43. YICP, Daegu, 2002. ISBN 978-89-88226-41-4
  17. ^ Lee (1984), p. 76 and Shin (1999).
  18. ^ Lee (1984) and Shin (1999) both make this assumption.
  19. ^ FPCP (Foundation for the Preservation of Cultural Properties). Daegu Chilgok Sam Taekji Munhwayejeok Balguljosa Bogoseo [Excavation Report of the Cultural Site at Localities 2 and 3, Building Area 3, Chilgok, Daegu]. 3 vols. Antiquities Research Report 62. FPCP, Gyeongju, 2000.
  20. ^ Lee (1984), p. 131.
  21. ^ Lee (1984), p. 149.
  22. ^ Lee (1984), p. 294.
  23. ^ Lee (1984), p. 302.
  24. ^ Lee (1984), p. 343.
  25. ^ "대구광역시 관광문화정보시스템 – 계산성당". Daegu Metropolitan City. Retrieved 2009-11-23. [dead link‍]
  26. ^ Template:Ko icon http://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20090210026021 The Seoul Shinmun (2009-02-10)
  27. ^ "2009년도 대구통계연보 ⅩⅣ.교육및문화". Daegu Metropolitan City. 2009-04-01.
  28. ^ "2006~2008년 지역간 의료이용량 분석". National Health Insurance Corporation. 2009-10-21.
  29. ^ a b "2008년 철도통계연보". Korea Railroad. 2010.

Further reading

  • Cumings, Bruce. Korea's place in the sun: A modern history (updated ed.). New York: W.W.Norton. ISBN 978-0-393-31681-0. LCCN 2006276040. OCLC 62042862.
  • Daegu-Gyeongbuk Historical Society (대구-경북역사연구회). 역사 속의 대구, 대구사람들 (Yeoksa sok-ui Daegu, Daegu saramdeul) (Daegu and its people in history). Seoul: Jungsim. ISBN 978-89-89524-09-0. LCCN 2001549622.
  • Lee, Ki-baik (1984). A new history of Korea, rev. ed. Tr. by E.W. Wagner and E.J. Shultz. Seoul: Ilchogak. ISBN 978-89-337-0204-8.
  • Nahm, Andrew C. (1996). Korea: A history of the Korean people, 2nd ed. Seoul: Hollym. ISBN 978-1-56591-070-6.
  • Shin, Hyeong-seok (신형석). (1999). 통일신라의 새로운 수도가 될 뻔했던 대구 (Tongilsilla-ui saeroun sudo-ga doel ppeonhaetteon Daegu) (Daegu, which almost became the new capital of Unified Silla). In Daegu-Gyeongbuk Historical Society, ed., pp. 78–91.*
  • Lee, Jungwoong (이정웅) (1993). 팔공산을 아십니까 (About Mt. Palgong). Daegu: 그루. ISBN 200-0-7520-0081-3. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid prefix (help)
  • Lee, Jungwoong (이정웅) (2000). 대구가 자랑스러운 12가지 이유. Seoul: 북랜드. ISBN 978-89-7787-158-8.
  • Lee, Jungwoong (이정웅) (2006). 푸른 대구 이야기. Daegu: 그루. ISBN 978-89-8069-138-8.
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