Seosan City

Seosan 서산시
Municipal City
Korean transcription(s)
• Hangul
• Hanja
• Revised Romanization	Seosan-si
• McCune-Reischauer	Sŏsan si
Emblem of Seosan
Location in South Korea
Country	South Korea
Region	Chungcheong
Administrative divisions	1 eup, 9 myeon, 5 dong
Area
• Total	739.15 km2 (285.39 sq mi)
Population (2014)
• Total	167,611
• Density	201.2/km2 (521/sq mi)
• Dialect	Chungcheong
Demonym(s)	Seosanite

Seosan (Korean pronunciation: [sʌ.san]) is a small city in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea, with a population of roughly 167, 611 according to the 2014 census. Located in the approximate center of northern South Chungcheong Province (exact co-ordinates: 36°47′N 126°27′E / 36.783°N 126.450°E / 36.783; 126.450), Seosan is somewhat of a transportation hub for the province, especially for those travelling to Taeanhaean National Park. The neighboring town of Haemi-eup, which is about 15 minutes from Seosan by car, is largely considered to be part of the Seosan area, and is a popular weekend day-trip destination for many Seosanites.

Although Seosan itself is a fairly quiet and touristically unimportant city, there are a number of minor attractions in the rural areas outside of Seosan, most of which can be accessed within twenty minutes by car, or in an hour by bicycle. Many of these historic sites are well-known only among the locals and often have few visitors, which can make them appealing to those wishing to escape the crowded palaces and temples of Korea's major cities. For an exhaustive list of tourist attractions in the Seosan-Haemi area, detailed English-language maps are available at the Seosan Intercity Bus Terminal.

Located in Haemi-eup, approximately 12 km from Seosan (15 minutes by car or local bus; 45 minutes by bike), Haemieupseong Fortress is among the best preserved examples of Korea's Joseon-era fortress architecture, and unlike most Joseon-era fortifications, it was built on a flat plain rather than on a hill or mountain. Haemieupseong Fortress was completed in 1491 (22nd year of King Seongjong's reign), and surrounded the entirety of Haemi-eup at the time of its completion. The fortress was used as a military command post controlling the Chuncheong-do region, and provided defense against Japanese pirates along Korea's western coast. As the town of Haemi expanded in the early 20th century, much of the fortress was torn down to allow additional urban development, but a major restoration work was undertaken in 1973. Today, the South Gate of Haemieupseong Fortress is original, along with certain parts of the walls, while the other gates are reconstructions. Along with Yeosutgol, Haemieupseong Fortress is considered to be a Holy Ground among Korean Catholics due to the Byeongin Persecutions of 1866, during which many Catholics living in the Chuncheong area were killed at the fortress.

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Wikipedia