Geoje

Geoje is Korean for "great rescue", from the syllables geo ({{korean|거|巨|}}) meaning great, and je ({{korean|제|濟||labels=no}}) meaning rescue.

Geoje has a history stretching back thousands of years. Various artifacts dating back to the Neolithic era have been found at archaeological digs on Naedo, Sandaldo, and Isudo. While no written history can be found from this era, the digs show evidence of numerous small establishments along the coasts. The first written mention of Geoje appears as, Geoje being one of two main divisions of the Dokro kingdom, a member of the Byeonhan confederacy (circa 0-300 AD). The Byeonhan confederacy slowly gave way to the Gaya confederacy(42-562 AD). The Gaya eventually submitted to the Kingdom of Silla.

In 757, Gyeongdeok of Silla classified the island as "Geoje-gun" "{{Korean|labels=no|거제군}}" (Geoje county). Modern Geoje is classified as a "si" ({{Korean|labels=no|시}}) (city). In 1170, Uijong of Goryeo secretly escaped to Geoje when Chŏng Chung-bu raised a rebellion against him, instating his brother, Myeongjong as king. Geoje served as a strategic location in preparation of the naval forces for the Gihae Eastern Expedition ({{Korean|labels=no|기해동정}}) of Tsushima Island in 1419 by the Korean general Yi Chongmu. At the time of the Seven-Year War in 1592, admiral Yi Sun-sin gained a great naval victory against Japanese invaders near the town of Okpo in Geoje. Since then. Yi was referred to by his noble title, "Chung Mu Gong," which roughly translates into English as "Earner of Great National Respect."

In the Korean War (1950–53), the military government of General Douglas MacArthur used the island as a place for the settlement for 170,000 POWs, and a Prisoner of war camp measuring at {{convert|11.8|km2|mi2}} was established during these years. The prison was rife with human rights abuses, including summary execution and the widespread use of torture against prisoners by Canadian and American troops. British journalist Alan Winnington and Australian journalist Wilfred Burchett conducted extensive research to document these human rights abuses, and jointly published their findings in 1952.{{Cite book|last1=Burchett|first1=Wilfred|title=Koje Unscreened|last2=Winnington|first2=Alan|publisher=Britain-China Friendship Association|year=1953|isbn=|location=London|pages=}} After the war, a portion (23,000 m²) was converted into a tourist attraction.{{cite web |url=http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/eng/info_db/dest/sight_detail.jsp?seqno=4066 |title=KNTO Destination Guide - Geoje P.O.W. Camp 거제포로수용소 |access-date=2005-06-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050411003731/http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/eng/info_db/dest/sight_detail.jsp?seqno=4066 |archive-date=2005-04-11 }}

During the last few decades Geoje has emerged as leader in the shipbuilding industries. Due to the continued industry, Geoje largely escaped the negative impacts of the Asian market crash of 1997.

Some notable people from Geoje include:

• Former President Kim Young-sam
• Poet Yu Chi-hwan, better known by his pen-name Cheongma.
• Former President Moon Jae-in

According to the whitebook published by Geoje City in May 2014, Geoje had a population of 243,736, 12,240 of which are foreigners (non-Koreans). A significant portion of the population depends on shipbuilding to support their livelihood, and this can be evidenced by the fact that nearly 33% of workers are employed in the shipbuilding industry.

The population of Geoje Island is 232,807 as of October 2024.

Geoje offers a variety of attractions, including Haegeumgang island, Oedo, a marine western-style botanical garden in Hallyeo-Haesang National Park, built by Lee Chang-ho and his wife when they settled on the island in 1969. Visitors visit by ferry boat from the harbor neighboring the islands.

Tourists also visit Jisim-do for trekking. Jisim is known for its Camellia vegetation. However, the Maemi typhoon in 2003 severely affected the island's plant life. Another popular tourist attraction at Haegeumgang-do (located southeast of Geoje) is the Sipja Donggul Cave. Buddhist and Shamanist sculptures can be found in the cave.

Geoje is the second largest island in Korea, so discovering these locations is most easily done using a tourist map.

File:Geoje Tourist Map.jpg

Geoje POW Camp ({{Korean|labels=no|거제도포로수용소}}) was a prisoner of war detention camp for captured North Koreans established during the Korean War from (1951). It was the site of a prison riot on May 8, 1952, which is the topic of Chinese-American writer Ha Jin's fictional War Trash.{{cite book|last1=Cumings|first1=Bruce|title=The Korean War|date=2011|publisher=Modern Library|location=New York|page=76}}

File:Korea-Geoje-Gohyeon Castle-01.jpg

Gohyeon Castle is named the 46th national treasure of South Gyeongsang Province. Gohyeon Castle ({{Korean|labels=no|고현성}}) and is located in Gohyeondong, Geoje. It was established during the Joseon period in 1451.

In the famous Joseon era geography book, Donggukyeojiseungram ({{lang|ko|동국여지승람}}), it was recorded that the Gohyeon castle had a circumference of 3,038 Cheok ({{lang|ko|척}}) (equivalent to about {{convert|9.2|km|disp=or|abbr=on}}), and had a height of 13 Cheok ({{convert|3.93|m|abbr=on}}). It was considered the largest castle in the South Sea.{{lang|ko|《고현성 안내표지판》}}. {{lang|ko|거제시시설관리공단}}. 2009-01-31.

File:Old Geoje town hall.jpg

The Geoje Township Government Office is regarded as Korea's 84th cultural treasure. During the time of the Japanese invasions, the office was established in 1470 to administer all military and shipbuilding plans.

File:Oksan Fortress Geoje1.jpg

The Oksangeum Fortress Area ({{Korean|labels=no|옥산금성지}}) was an unsanctioned fortress built on the Sujeong peak to defend against Japanese invasion. Due to the strain it placed on the people during the building, the magistrate responsible was dismissed. Oksangeum Fortress is regarded as the South Gyeongsang Province's 10th cultural treasure.

File:Pyewangseong1.jpg

Pyewang Fortress ({{Korean|labels=no|폐왕성}}) is the oldest surviving fortress in Geoje. First built during the Silla Dynasty, Pyewang fortress later served the fortress refuge for the King Uijong the 18th king of the Goryeo dynasty, while escaping from a military coup. Pyewang fortress is located in Dundeok-myeon. Pyewang fortress is regarded as the South Gyeongsang Province's 11th cultural treasure, and National Historical Site no. 509.

Okpo Great Victory Park is located in Okpo2Dong within Geoje. It commemorates the great victory over the invading Japanese navy by the honored general Yi Sun-sin on May 7, 1592.{{cite web |url=http://www.geojeimc.or.kr/sub.html?w=body_03_02&style=03 |script-title=ko:거제시시설관리공단 |access-date=2014-05-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810184933/http://www.geojeimc.or.kr/sub.html?w=body_03_02&style=03 |archive-date=2009-08-10 }}

The Blue Horse (Cheongma, {{Korean|labels=no|청마}}) is a cultural exhibition and preserved birthplace museum of the poet "Blue Horse". It is located in Bangha village, Dundeokmyeon.

Jisimdo ({{Korean|labels=no|지심도}}) is an island of the east coast of Geoje. It is visited primarily for its vast amount of Camellia vegetation. Although damaged by Maemi typhoon, the camellias have mostly returned. It is also a site of a Japanese military installation, from the occupation of the early 20th century.{{cite web|url=http://www.jisimdoro.com/ |script-title=ko:동백섬 지심도 공식홈페이지|website=www.jisimdoro.com}}

File:Goeje-ThemeExibition.jpg

Haegeumgang Theme Museum ({{Korean|labels=no|해금강테마박물관}}) is a museum of travel during the 1950s to the 1970s. It is located in Galgot village, Nambumyeon ({{Korean|labels=no|거제시 남부면 갈곶리}}).

The Geoje Shipbuilding Marine Cultural Center is an independently established combination of a Fishing Village Folk Museum and Shipbuilding Theme park museum located in Jisepo village, Ilunmyeon ({{Korean|labels=no|지세포리}}, {{Korean|labels=no|일운면}}).

The Fishing Village Folk Museum covers two floors, including 4 exhibits: "The living sea/Traditions of the sea" and "Ocean experience/Renaissance of the sea".

Shipbuilding Theme park museum also covers two floors, including 5 exhibits: "Children's Shipbuilding yard/Dock 1" The history of sailing vessels/Dock 2 Shipbuilding technology/Dock 3 The future of the oceans/ Movie theatre

Geoje Museum ({{Korean|labels=no|거제박물관}}) is located in Okpo. It features local artifacts used over the centuries by the people of Geoje.

File:Hill of Wind in Geoje-si, S.Korea overlooking South Sea..jpg

The Hill of Wind ({{Korean|labels=no|바람의 언덕}}) is located in Galgot village, Nambumyeon ({{Korean|labels=no|거제시 남부면 갈곶리}}). It overlooks South Sea and there is a strong wind. A windmill is set on top of hill. It became famous after 2 Days & 1 Night, where one of the most popular Korea TV shows was filmed.{{cite web|url=http://www.geojeecotour.com/captain/?doc=main/item.php&it_id=1114786505 |script-title=ko:===거제도 외도 전문 길라잡이 거제에코투어 - 바람의 언덕을 작명한 캡틴이 거제도 여행의 모든 정보를 제공해 드립니다.===|website=www.geojeecotour.com}}

File:Haegeumgang taken near Haegeumgang Ferry Terminal.jpg

Haegeumgang ({{Korean|labels=no|해금강}}) is named for resemblance of the Haegeum mountain in North Korea. It is a primary tourist destinations in all of Geoje.{{lang|ko|거제시 관광안내자료, 2009년 1월}}

File:Korea-Geoje-Oedo 4078-06.JPG

Oedo ({{Korean|labels=no|외도}}){{cite web |url=http://www.oedo.co.kr/wp/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528001138/http://www.oedo.co.kr/wp |archive-date=2014-05-28 |script-title=ko:아름다운 섬 외도}} and Naedo ({{Korean|labels=no|내도}}){{cite web|url=http://www.geojeecotour.com/captain/?doc=main/item.php&it_id=1116908110 |script-title=ko:===거제도 외도 전문 길라잡이 거제에코투어 - 바람의 언덕을 작명한 캡틴이 거제도 여행의 모든 정보를 제공해 드립니다.===|website=www.geojeecotour.com}} are two islands located in the southeast of Geoje island and of the two, Oedo hosts the second most visited attraction in all of Geoje, the expansive botanical gardens of Botania.

Sanbangsan Botanical Garden ({{Korean|labels=no|산방산비원}}) is a botanical garden in Sanbang-ri. This garden has many flower and tree varieties. Due to its remote location, it is much less busy than other botanical gardens.{{cite web|url=http://www.beeone.co.kr/|script-title=ko:페이지를 표시할 수 없습니다.|website=www.beeone.co.kr|access-date=2015-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720153712/http://www.beeone.co.kr/|archive-date=2011-07-20|url-status=dead}}

Mundong Waterfall ({{Korean|labels=no|문동폭포}}) is a small waterfall located above the Mundong Reservoir. It features trails and picnic areas at this location.{{cite web|url=http://www.geojeecotour.com/captain/?doc=main/item.php&it_id=1116382577 |script-title=ko:===거제도 외도 전문 길라잡이 거제에코투어 - 바람의 언덕을 작명한 캡틴이 거제도 여행의 모든 정보를 제공해 드립니다.===|website=www.geojeecotour.com}}

Gonggoji ({{Korean|labels=no|공곶이}}) is a mountain side garden located opposite Naedo island. It features Camellia trees, and daffodil fields. Due to there being no road access, you must walk to get to this location.{{cite web|url=http://www.geojeecotour.com/captain/?doc=main/item.php&it_id=1127835084 |script-title=ko:===거제도 외도 전문 길라잡이 거제에코투어 - 바람의 언덕을 작명한 캡틴이 거제도 여행의 모든 정보를 제공해 드립니다.===|website=www.geojeecotour.com}}

File:Geoje Samsung shipbuiding.jpg

There are various shipbuilding docks which provide tours from the Daewoo and Samsung corporation located in both Gohyeon and Okpo.{{cite web |url=http://www.kmobile.co.kr/k_mnews/news/news_view.asp?tableid=IT&idx=225896 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119083007/http://www.kmobile.co.kr/k_mnews/news/news_view.asp?tableid=IT&idx=225896 |archive-date=2011-11-19 |title=K :: }}

Daemyeong Resort is located in Ilun-myeon. It has various rooms. It offers a choice of several restaurants, karaoke rooms, billiards, table tennis and other entertainment options. There also the Ocean Bay Water Park on location, and the Marina Bay offers yacht and motor boat rentals.{{cite web|url=http://www.daemyungresort.com/go/ |script-title=ko:대명리조트|website=www.daemyungresort.com}}

Geoje offers an abundance of trails that can be used to hike, cycle, and some are suitable for ATV use.

File:Yugyo Harbor6.JPG

According to a 2014 study, Geoje's Korean population was 243,736, and the foreign national population was 12,240.{{cite web|url=http://www.geoje.go.kr/board/view.sko?boardId=geoje_population&boardSid=862&menuCd=AA04001008001&contentsSid=353&orderBy=&startPage=1&searchType=&keyword=&searchStartDt=&searchEndDt=&dataSid=18490390 |script-title=ko:RFC 3.0 오류 메세지|website=www.geoje.go.kr}} Although Gohyeon-dong is the fifth smallest of the dongs, it is the largest in population at 40,400.

The cumulative area of Geoje is 402.3 km², with Dongbu-myeon ({{Korean|labels=no|동부면}}) being the widest, and Majeon-dong ({{Korean|labels=no|마전동}}) being the narrowest.

In 2008 Shinhyeon-eup ({{Korean|labels=no|신현읍}}) was abolished, and in its place a new town was installed. It now divided into the separate dongs of Gohyeon-dong, Jangpyeong-dong, Sangmundong-dong, and Suyang-dong

The industrial area of Geoje has the highest man to women worker ratio in South Gyeongsang.

Geoje covers an area of {{convert|401.63|km2}}, encompassing Geoje-do ({{convert|383.44|km2}}) and 60 other small islets, of which 10 are inhabited.[http://i.b5z.net/i/u/1628001/i/Map_low_1.jpg Map of the region] The main island is joined to land by two bridges from nearby Tongyeong. It is also connected via a series of bridges and underwater tunnels to Gadeokdo, then Busan, named the Busan–Geoje Bridge. A proposal has been made to connect Geoje to Masan by another set of bridges and tunnels named Yi Sun-sin Great Bridge ({{Korean|hangul=이순신대교|labels=no}}).

Geoje experiences a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cfa/Cwa), and temperatures reaching below zero degrees Celsius in winter are frequent during December to February. However, the island is kept relatively warm by the influence of warm ocean currents.

On 2022, Typhoon Hinnamnor made landfall over the city, the eye centre directly passed over the city as a category 2 at 5:50 AM September 6, 2022. Leaving severe destruction around, including flooding.

{{Weather box

| location = Geoje (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1972–present)

| metric first = Y

| single line = Y

| Jan record high C = 19.3

| Feb record high C = 19.4

| Mar record high C = 24.2

| Apr record high C = 27.9

| May record high C = 34.4

| Jun record high C = 33.5

| Jul record high C = 38.6

| Aug record high C = 37.4

| Sep record high C = 34.2

| Oct record high C = 29.9

| Nov record high C = 25.8

| Dec record high C = 19.4

| year record high C = 38.6

| Jan high C = 7.3

| Feb high C = 9.4

| Mar high C = 13.5

| Apr high C = 18.6

| May high C = 23.1

| Jun high C = 25.8

| Jul high C = 28.3

| Aug high C = 29.9

| Sep high C = 26.5

| Oct high C = 22.0

| Nov high C = 15.7

| Dec high C = 9.5

| year high C = 19.1

| Jan mean C = 2.6

| Feb mean C = 4.4

| Mar mean C = 8.4

| Apr mean C = 13.4

| May mean C = 17.9

| Jun mean C = 21.2

| Jul mean C = 24.8

| Aug mean C = 26.0

| Sep mean C = 22.0

| Oct mean C = 16.7

| Nov mean C = 10.6

| Dec mean C = 4.7

| year mean C = 14.4

| Jan low C = -1.4

| Feb low C = -0.2

| Mar low C = 3.5

| Apr low C = 8.3

| May low C = 13.0

| Jun low C = 17.4

| Jul low C = 22.1

| Aug low C = 22.9

| Sep low C = 18.2

| Oct low C = 12.2

| Nov low C = 6.1

| Dec low C = 0.4

| year low C = 10.2

| Jan record low C = -10.4

| Feb record low C = -10.1

| Mar record low C = -8.0

| Apr record low C = -1.4

| May record low C = 4.8

| Jun record low C = 8.2

| Jul record low C = 13.8

| Aug record low C = 12.4

| Sep record low C = 8.6

| Oct record low C = 1.0

| Nov record low C = -5.2

| Dec record low C = -8.9

| year record low C = -10.4

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 40.4

| Feb precipitation mm = 60.5

| Mar precipitation mm = 112.2

| Apr precipitation mm = 177.2

| May precipitation mm = 203.0

| Jun precipitation mm = 237.1

| Jul precipitation mm = 367.6

| Aug precipitation mm = 330.4

| Sep precipitation mm = 209.5

| Oct precipitation mm = 96.4

| Nov precipitation mm = 59.0

| Dec precipitation mm = 37.0

| year precipitation mm = 1930.3

| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm

| Jan precipitation days = 4.8

| Feb precipitation days = 5.4

| Mar precipitation days = 7.8

| Apr precipitation days = 9.2

| May precipitation days = 9.0

| Jun precipitation days = 10.6

| Jul precipitation days = 14.3

| Aug precipitation days = 11.9

| Sep precipitation days = 9.0

| Oct precipitation days = 5.0

| Nov precipitation days = 6.1

| Dec precipitation days = 4.5

| year precipitation days =

| Jan humidity = 54.0

| Feb humidity = 54.4

| Mar humidity = 58.5

| Apr humidity = 60.0

| May humidity = 65.3

| Jun humidity = 73.4

| Jul humidity = 79.5

| Aug humidity = 76.6

| Sep humidity = 73.3

| Oct humidity = 67.6

| Nov humidity = 63.4

| Dec humidity = 56.8

| year humidity = 65.2

| Jan sun = 169.9

| Feb sun = 178.0

| Mar sun = 204.0

| Apr sun = 217.4

| May sun = 233.2

| Jun sun = 182.7

| Jul sun = 153.4

| Aug sun = 182.1

| Sep sun = 168.5

| Oct sun = 195.1

| Nov sun = 165.3

| Dec sun = 166.4

| year sun = 2216.0

| Jan percentsun = 52.0

| Feb percentsun = 57.8

| Mar percentsun = 54.2

| Apr percentsun = 55.3

| May percentsun = 53.5

| Jun percentsun = 43.1

| Jul percentsun = 33.4

| Aug percentsun = 43.9

| Sep percentsun = 46.4

| Oct percentsun = 58.8

| Nov percentsun = 53.4

| Dec percentsun = 55.0

| year percentsun = 49.5

| source = Korea Meteorological Administration (percent sunshine 1981–2010)

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220129211110/https://data.kma.go.kr/resources/normals/pdf_data/korea_pdf_0106_v2.pdf

| archive-date = 29 January 2022

| url = https://data.kma.go.kr/resources/normals/pdf_data/korea_pdf_0106_v2.pdf

| title = Climatological Normals of Korea (1991 ~ 2020)

| publisher = Korea Meteorological Administration

| access-date = 4 April 2022

| language = ko}}

{{cite web

| url = https://data.kma.go.kr/climate/extremum/selectExtremumList.do?pgmNo=103

| publisher = Korea Meteorological Administration

| access-date = 4 April 2022

| script-title = ko:순위값 - 구역별조회

| language = ko}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161207185450/http://www.kma.go.kr/down/Climatological_2010.pdf

| archive-date = 7 December 2016

| url = http://www.kma.go.kr/down/Climatological_2010.pdf

| publisher = Korea Meteorological Administration

| access-date = 8 December 2016

| title = Climatological Normals of Korea

| date = 2011}}

}}

Due to Geoje's coastal sub-tropical location, the area grows and harvests several different crops, some of which are uncommon in most of Korea. Some of these crops include yuja, pineapples, and mushrooms.

Being an island also provides an abundance of seafood that is collected locally.

{{See also|Islands of South Korea}}

• Geoje ({{Korean|labels=no|거제도|巨濟島}})
• Oedo
• Galgotdo (Haegeumgang)
• Chilcheondo
• Jisimdo
• Gajodo
• Haegando
• Sandaldo
• Hawdo

There is an international school, International School of Koje (거제국제외국인학교).

• {{flagdeco|PRC}} Longjing, Jilin, China
• {{flagdeco|PRC}} Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
• {{flagdeco|PRC}} Qidong, Jiangsu, China
• {{flagdeco|US}} Guam, United States
• {{flagdeco|JPN}} Yame, Fukuoka, Japan

• Gurye County, South Jeolla Province
• Hadong County, South Gyeongsang Province

• List of cities in South Korea
• Geography of South Korea
• Geoje POW camp

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Geoje}}

• {{wikivoyage inline|Geoje}}

{{South Gyeongsang}}

{{Metropolitan cities of South Korea}}

{{Most populous cities in South Korea}}

{{Coord|34|51|N|128|35|E|type:city|display=title}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in South Gyeongsang Province

Category:Port cities and towns in South Korea