Ulsan

Administrative divisions

Ulsan is divided into four gu (districts) and one gun (county):

Economy

As the centre of the Ulsan Industrial District, the city is the corporate base of the multinational Hyundai conglomerate. Up to 1962, Ulsan operated as a fishing port and market centre. As part of South Korea's first five-year economic plan, Ulsan became an open port. Additionally, major industrial plants and factories were developed, including in particular an oil refinery, fertiliser plants, automobile production and heavy industries. The shipbuilding port Bangeojin became part of the city in 1962.

Ulsan is currently the home of the world's largest automobile assembly plant operated by Hyundai Motor, the world's largest shipyard, operated by Hyundai Heavy Industries and the world's second largest oil refinery owned by SK Energy.

In November 2011, SB LiMotive opened an advanced Lithium-Ion battery production plant in Ulsan. SB LiMotive was a 50-50 consortium of Samsung SDI and Robert Bosch GmbH. In September 2012, Samsung SDI purchased the Robert Bosch GmbH portion of SB LiMotive for $95 million to gain 100% ownership of the Ulsan production facility. The Ulsan plant is one of Samsung SDI's triangle of advanced car battery production facilities: another is in Xian, China, and the other is at Göd, 25 kilometers north of Budapest, Hungary, which was a former Austria-based battery pack division of Magna Steyr and was acquired by Samsung SDI in 2015. In 2016-2017, the Samsung SDI Ulsan plant trained several employees for the Samsung SDI Hungary plant. The Samsung SDI Ulsan plant supplies Hyundai and other automotive producers with advanced batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles. The Ulsan plant had supplied the BMW i3, but the Samsung SDI Hungary plant will provide the BMW i3, i5, and X5 with advanced Li-ion batteries.

Transportation

The city transport department plans to build a light-rail line and the public transportation system is as good as any other major Korean city. The bus system shows a particular ETA at most bus stops. Ulsan Airport, constructed in 1970 and expanded in 1997, has more than 20 flights per day to and from Seoul's Gimpo International Airport and 4 flights per week to and from Jeju International Airport. In November 2010, Korea's high-speed train network, the KTX, was extended to Ulsan. This provides a high-speed link to Seoul, with a running time of just over 2 hours. The new KTX station (Ulsan Station) is in nearby Eonyang, with a series of express buses (5001-5004) as well as some city buses serving the new station. The original city station has been renamed Taehwa River Station.

Sports

The city hosts the K League Classic football club Ulsan Hyundai FC, who, after the 2002 FIFA World Cup, relocated from their former stadium in Jung-gu, which is now a municipal ground, to the Munsu Stadium, which hosted several matches during the 2002 World Cup. Ulsan was home to another football team, Ulsan Hyundai Mipo Dolphin FC, which played in the Korea National League until 2016, when it was dissolved. It is also home to the University of Ulsan. Ulsan also hosts Korean Basketball League team Ulsan Mobis Phoebus. Their home ground is Dongchun Gymnasium, which located in jung-gu ulsan.

Geography

Ulsan is bounded on the east by the Sea of Japan (East Sea). Busan is 70 km to the south.

Climate

Ulsan has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa/Cwa), with somewhat cold but dry winters, and hot, humid summers. Monthly means range from 2.0 °C (35.6 °F) in January to 25.9 °C (78.6 °F) in August, with diurnal temperature ranges generally low. Its location on the Korean peninsula results in a seasonal lag, with the warmest days being in August and averaging very near 30 °C (86 °F). Precipitation is relatively low in the winter months, but is made up by the high rainfall falling from April to September.

Tourist attractions

Yeongnam Alps

There are 7 tall mountains (Gajisan, Sinbulsan, Ganwolsan, cheonhwangsan, yeongchuksan, Goheonsan, Jaeyaksan) over 1,000m above sea level. Sinbulsan (MT.) Ridge, which changes to a fantastic silver grass field in autumn, is one of the best sights to see in the Yeongnam Alps. Eoksae festival is held every early October in Ganwoljae which is best known for its colony of silver grass.

Oegosan Onggi village

Korea's largest traditional folk Onggi (earthware) village creates a unique scene as the whole village is made of earthware. You can see the first-hand traditional Onggi (earthware) manufacturing process including Onggi workshops and kilns. Try your hand at making Onggi. The Ulsan Onggi museum offers a variety of information related to Onggi and displays a diversity of this eathware.

Jangsaengpo Whale museum & Whale Ecological Experience Hall

As the only whale museum in Korea, Jangsaengpo whale museum collects, maintains and displays whailing-related artifacts, which have been disappearing since 1986 when whailing was prohibited. It also provides a variety of information related to whales and marine ecosystems and is a space for education, research and experience. And You can enjoy ride on whale cruise from Jangsaengpo port.

Grand Parks

Industrial tour

Ulsan Industry Park, emitting its dazzling lights 365 days a year, has been leading the Pacific Rim industry in the 21st century. Ulsan Has Hyundai Motor Company, with the world's largest single-purpose plant, Hyundai heavy Industries, the biggest heavy industry leader in the world, Hyundai Mipo Shipbuilding, Petrochemical Park, leaders in Korea's chemistry industry.

Coast trip

Ulsan has beautiful beaches (Jinha, Ilsan) and amazing view of Daewangam Park with its lush hundred-year-old pine forest. Specially, Ganjeolgot cape tops the list as the best-known sunrise site, where the sun rises first on the Korean peninsula. A sunrise festival is held every New Year's Day.

In media

Ulsan is one of the filming locations of the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation 2012 South Korean television melodrama series May Queen, starring Han Ji-hye, Kim Jae-won and Jae Hee.

Notable people

Ray Lim. The Torchmaster General.