Suwon

Suwon
수원
Special case city
Korean transcription(s)
 • Hangul수원시
 • Hanja水原市
 • Revised RomanizationSuwon-si
 • McCune–ReischauerSuwŏn-si
From top, left to right:
view of Suwon from Paldalsan Mountain,
Samsung Digital City (Samsung Electronics HQ), Suwon World Cup Stadium,
Hwaseong Fortress, Gwanggyo Lake Park,
Suwon Station
Flag of Suwon
Flag
Official logo of Suwon
Emblem of Suwon
Location in South Korea
Location in South Korea
Coordinates: 37°16′N 127°01′E / 37.267°N 127.017°E / 37.267; 127.017
Country South Korea
AreaGyeonggi Province (Seoul Capital)
Administrative divisions4 gu, 43 dong
Government
 • TypeMayor-Council
 • MayorLee Jae-jun (Democratic)
 • CouncilSuwon City Council
 • Members of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council
List
 • Members of the National Assembly
List
Area
 • Total
121.04 km2 (46.73 sq mi)
Highest elevation
(Gwanggyosan)
582 m (1,909 ft)
Population
 (september 2024[1])
 • Total
1,195,045
 • Density9,900/km2 (26,000/sq mi)
 • Dialect
Gyeonggi
Area code+82-31-2xx
FlowerAzalea[2]
TreePine[2]
BirdEgret[2]
WebsiteSuwon City Council

Suwon (Korean: 수원; Korean pronunciation: [su.wʌn]) is the largest city and capital of Gyeonggi Province, South Korea's most populous province. The city lies approximately 30 km (19 mi) south of the national capital, Seoul. With a population of 1.2 million,[4] Suwon has more inhabitants than Ulsan,[4][5] though it enjoys a lesser degree of self-governance as a 'special case city'.[6]

Traditionally known as the 'City of Filial Piety',[7] modern Suwon retains a variety of historical landmarks. As a walled city, it is a popular destination for day-trippers from Seoul,[8] with the wall itself—Hwaseong Fortress—receiving 1½ million visits in 2015.[9]

Suwon plays an important economic role as it is home to Samsung Electronics, Korea's largest and most profitable company.[10] The company's research and development centre is in Yeongtong District in eastern Suwon, where its headquarters have also been located since 2016.[11] Samsung's prominence in Suwon is clear: the company is partnered with Sungkyunkwan University,[12] which has a campus in the city; it also owns the professional football team Suwon Samsung Bluewings. This team has won the K League four times[13] and the Asian Super Cup twice.[14][15] The city is also home to the K League 1 team Suwon FC and the KBO League baseball team KT Wiz.

Suwon houses several well-known universities, most notably Sungkyunkwan University and Ajou University.[16] It is served by three expressways, the national railway network, and three lines on the Seoul Metropolitan Subway.

  1. ^ "Population statistics". Korea Ministry of the Interior and Safety. 2024.
  2. ^ a b c 나무·꽃·새·주 상징종 [Trees, Flowers, Birds, and City Symbols] (in Korean). Suwon City Council. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  3. ^ 우편번호 개요 [Postal code overview] (in Korean). Korea Post. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  4. ^ a b 월별인구현황 [Population Status by Month] (in Korean). Suwon City Council. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Administrative District & Population". Ulsan Metropolitan City Council. 28 February 2023. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  6. ^ "PM: 4 Cities to be Given New Autonomous Status Hold Greater Responsibility". KBS World. 3 January 2022. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Suwon invites visitors to city of heritage, festivities". The Korea Herald. 1 May 2016. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  8. ^ Park, Hyemi (11 March 2016). "Suwon celebrates its past while looking ahead". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Suwon Hwaseong fortress celebrates 220th year". Korea JoongAng Daily. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Samsung Electronics stays atop S. Korea's top 500 firms' list". Yonhap News Agency. 10 May 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  11. ^ Song, Sung-hoon (22 February 2016). "Samsung Electronics leaves Seoul headquarters". Maeil Business News. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  12. ^ Stek, Pieter (2017). "The Strategic Alliance Between Sungkyunkwan University and the Samsung Group: South Korean Exceptionalism or New Global Model?". Triple Helix Association. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  13. ^ "Club: Suwon Samsung Bluewings". Goalzz. Kooora. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  14. ^ Stokkermans, Karel (16 October 2014). "Asian Club Competitions 2000/01". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  15. ^ "Blue Wings flying high". BBC Sport. 24 July 2002. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  16. ^ 수원시통계 [Suwon City Statistics] (in Korean). Archived from the original on 30 January 2011.