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88-397: The line runs between the mainland portion of Gyeonggi-do province that had been part of Hwanghae before 1945, and the adjacent offshore islands, including Yeonpyeong and Baengnyeongdo . Because of the conditions of the armistice, the mainland portion reverted to North Korean control, while the islands remained a part of South Korea despite their close proximity. The line extends into

176-418: A provincial-level special city since 1946. Incheon , the nation's third-largest city, is on the coast of the province and has been similarly administered as a provincial-level metropolitan city since 1981. The three jurisdictions are collectively referred to as Sudogwon and cover 11,730 km (4,530 sq mi), with a combined population of over 26 million - amounting to over half (50.25%) of

264-608: A 'special peace and cooperation zone in the West Sea' encompassing Haeju and vicinity in a bid to proactively push ahead with the creation of a joint fishing zone and maritime peace zone, establishment of a special economic zone, utilization of Haeju harbor, passage of civilian vessels via direct routes in Haeju and the joint use of the Han River estuary." However the following South Korean President Lee Myung-bak rejected this approach, describing

352-789: A 2002 Korean Central News Agency article the NLL violates the Korean armistice agreement and the 12 mile territorial waters stipulated by the UN Maritime Convention. The article claims the Northern Limit Line is a root cause of armed clashes, and by insisting on the line the U.S. and South Korean seek to use it to spark military conflict. An earlier article reported that at meetings of the military armistice commission in December 1973 and July 1989 North Korea noted that future clashes were unavoidable unless

440-589: A Marine Corps or naval aviation capabilities. Amphibious operations are conducted by SOF units in addition to naval personnel. According to South Korea's National Intelligence Service (in 1999): The DPRK Navy is divided into East Sea (10 squadrons) and West Sea fleets (6 squadrons) with a total manpower of 148,000. North Korea's fleet consist of approximately 630 combat vessels (Patrol craft, guided missile boats, torpedo boats, fire support craft, destroyers, frigates, corvettes, and three cruisers), 100 submarines, and 340 support craft (landing craft, hovercraft). As with

528-423: A clear Military Demarcation Line was drawn in the West Sea, and urging the U.S. to negotiate such measures. On December 21, 2009, North Korea established a "peacetime firing zone" south of the NLL in waters disputed with South Korea. For many years North Korea has sold fishing rights in the area of the NLL to Chinese fishing companies, which South Korea regards as illegal fishing . The South Korean position from

616-479: A considerable length of time by both Koreas: The NLL has served as an effective means of preventing military tension between North and South Korean military forces for 46 years. It serves as a practical demarcation line, which has contributed to the separation of forces. The UNC insisted that the NLL must be maintained until a new maritime MDL could be established through the Joint Military Commission on

704-536: A credible mine warfare capability. There are numerous small surface ships that are capable of delivering mines within both the navy and civilian sectors. Mines will be used to defend against amphibious assaults, defend strategic ports, and provide seaward flank protection for land forces. Defensive mine fields will be monitored by coastal observation teams and radar, and they will be supported by well emplaced artillery and missile batteries. This will make close approach and mine clearing operations extremely hazardous. DPRK has

792-717: A developed granite area which, due to the granite's exfoliation effect, makes it full of strangely shaped cliffs and deep valleys. The Charyeong Mountain Range forms the boundary between Gyeonggi Province and North Chungcheong Province , but is a relatively low-altitude hilly area. In Gyeonggi Province, there is Bukhansan National Park in Uijeongbu. For provincial parks, there are the Chukryeongsan Natural Recreation Area, Namhan-sanseong Provincial Park, Gapyeong Yeoninsan Provincial Park, and Mulhyanggi Arboretum. Besides

880-467: A different name, had been established in 1961 by the same commander. No documentation about the line earlier than 1960 could be located by the CIA, casting doubt on the belief that the NLL was created immediately after the armistice. The sole purpose of the NLL in this original order was to forbid UNC vessels from sailing north of it without special permission. The report noted, however, that in at least two places

968-594: A fertile field area around the rivers. The Gwangju Mountain Range and the Charyeong Mountain Range stretch toward China in Gyeonggi Province. Most of the mountains that rise above 1,000 metres (3,300 ft), such as Myeongjisan (1,267 metres (4,157 ft)), Gukmangbong (1,168 metres (3,832 ft)) and Yongmunsan (1,157 metres (3,796 ft)) in the Gwangju Mountain Range. It iriidc Ktihas

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1056-730: A high-class cultural life. There are performances at Gyeonggi Arts Center in Suwon as well as at Gyeonggi Korean Traditional Music Center in Yongin . Gyeonggi Provincial Museum in Yongin , Nam June Paik Art Center in Yongin , Gyeonggi Museum of Art in Ansan , and the Ceramics Museum in Gwangju are some of the facilities that are currently run by the province. There are also sightseeing opportunities at Jangheung Art Park, Publication Art Complex at Heyri, Paju , and

1144-466: A large inventory of older technology mines, significant historical experience with their effectiveness, and, most importantly, the willingness to use them. The latest bi-annual report of North Korea's military capabilities by the ROK's Ministry of National Defense , released in 2018, KPN inventory is estimated at 430 combat ships, 250 landing crafts, 20 mine layers, 40 support ships, 70 submarines. For years,

1232-490: A maximum range of 25 Nm and carry radar or infrared homing seekers. The largest part of the KPAN consists of small combatants, including torpedo boats, patrol boats, patrol craft, fast attack craft, and small amphibious landing craft. Of the approximately 200 torpedo boats, nearly half are DPRK-built. Most are equipped with 25 mm to 37 mm guns. The DPRK built at least 62 Chaho fire-support patrol units. This unique vessel has

1320-415: A multiple rocket launcher in the center of its deck to provide fire support to ground troops or attack surface ships. The DPRK's attack submarine inventory is estimated to include 4 former Soviet Whiskey-class submarine , 22 Chinese Romeo-class submarines , and DPRK-built Romeo-class submarines. The Whiskeys, acquired in the 1960s, can carry 12 torpedoes or 24 mines. Shortly after delivering four Romeos in

1408-469: A newly built submarine of a new class: with a length of 67metres, it's the largest-ever submarine built so far by North Korea, it's believed to be related to older Yugoslavian projects, but if mass-built could potentially replace the aging fleet of Romeo submarines. In spring 2015, the new submarine was observed at sea during trials, paired with a test of the KN-11 missile. The KPN has 20 bases split between

1496-477: A number of upgrades and new classes in service with the Navy appeared: most of this modernization's program is left to speculation and analysis of satellite images, due to the absence of details released by North Korea. South Korea reported that North Korea has built a new high-speed, wave piercing craft to deploy troops as part of efforts to enhance infiltration capabilities by sea. Called a Very Slender Vessel (VSV), it

1584-509: A radius of 335 nmi (620 km) at 28 knots (52 km/h). The Nampos provide a limited amphibious capability, each carrying up to 30 troops with a basic combat load. Amphibious assaults against CFC probably would be small, clandestine landings involving two to six Nampo craft; Chaho or other naval craft could provide fire support. Other amphibious craft include 8 Hantae medium landing ships, which can carry 3 to 4 light tanks, and approximately 125 Kongbang amphibious hovercraft. The DPRK has

1672-457: A regular patrol, but failed to return on time. The boat was later discovered to be sunk, and the entire crew had died, who were named as martyrs. A seaside grave was constructed for these sailors, which Kim Jong Un visited, in a move described by the New York Times as bolstering his image of caring for the soldiers. Families of the victims were given portraits of their children and a collage of

1760-422: A severe differentiation of temperature between summer and winter, and has distinctions of four seasons. Spring is warm, summer is hot and humid, autumn is cool, and winter is cold and snowy. The annual average temperature is between 11–13 °C (52–55 °F), where the temperature in the mountainous areas to the northeast is lower and the coastal areas to the southwest is higher. For January's average temperature,

1848-506: Is because many counties were elevated to city status owing to the influence of Seoul's new town development plan. Special cities are especially concentrated in the southern area of Gyeonggi Province. Listed below is each entity's name in English, Hangul and Hanja . Gyeonggi Province's proximity to Seoul, South Korea's capital, and Incheon, its second-busiest port, has contributed to its extremely well-developed transportation infrastructure. It

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1936-560: Is clearly contrary to international law and USG Law of the Sea position." Earlier in 1973 a "Joint State-Defense Message" to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul stated that South Korea "is wrong in assuming we will join in attempts to impose NLL", and the U.S. Ambassador told the South Korean government that the 12-mile (19 km) North Korean territorial sea claim created a zone of uncertain status with respect to

2024-410: Is close to both Incheon International Airport , South Korea's main international gateway and busiest airport, and Gimpo International Airport , its second-busiest airport. Use of water transportation from the harbor at Pyeongtaek is also high. The road pavement rate throughout the province averages 86.5 percent. The area has access to many of South Korea's expressways , including Gyeonggi Province

2112-687: Is cylindrical with a small cross section to pierce through waves at high speed. It is 10–15 m (33–49 ft) long and can carry a small number of special forces at over 100 km/h (62 mph; 54 kn), compared to air-cushion vehicles than can travel at 96 km/h (60 mph; 52 kn). VSVs are considered one of the most threatening craft in the Korean People's Army Naval Force for their commando infiltration capabilities onto border islands. North Korea has built two helicopter frigates to enhance its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Construction began in 2006-07 and launched in 2011–12, but it

2200-520: Is in the western central region of the Korean Peninsula, which is vertically situated in Northeast Asia and is between east longitude of 126 and 127, and north latitude of 36 and 38. Its dimension is 10% of Korea's territory, 10,171 square kilometres (3,927 sq mi). It is in contact with 86 kilometres (53 mi) of cease-fire line to the north, 413 kilometres (257 mi) of coastline to

2288-734: Is relatively uniform, there are some differences across the country. Animals living in Gyeonggi Province include the following. The raccoon dog is widespread in the province, as are the Japanese mole , Siberian weasel , water deer , Korean hare , red squirrel , house mouse , striped field mouse , and the Eurasian harvest mouse . The common merganser , common pochard , green-winged teal , Eastern spot-billed duck , mallard , mandarin , Taiga bean goose , tundra bean goose , whooper swan , great crested grebe , little grebe common moorhen , Eurasian coot , and white-breasted waterhen all inhabit

2376-631: Is served by Korail commuter, standard and high-speed ( KTX ) services. It is home to Korea's first railroad, the Gyeongin Line , and includes portions of the Gyeongbu Line , Gyeongui Line , Jungang Line , and Honam Line . Gyeonggi has stations on the Suin , Bundang , Gyeongchun , and Shinbundang commuter rail services and the Gyeongbu and Honam High Speed Railways . The area has numerous connections to

2464-402: Is unknown if they have been commissioned and are in service. The frigates are estimated to be 76 m (249 ft) long and 11 m (36 ft) wide, with a 29 m × 11 m (95 ft × 36 ft) flight deck and a displacement of 1,300 tonnes (1,300 long tons; 1,400 short tons). Armament is believed to include 4 RBU 1200 ASW rocket launchers, a 30 mm CIWS, and possibly

2552-628: The C-802 missile. Its main weapon is either a Mil Mi-4 or Mil Mi-14 helicopter. In June 2014, propaganda pictures from the North Korean state TV briefly showed one of the newly built patrol SES vessels, firing a Kh-35 anti-ship cruise missile. Despite some initial doubts over the nature of the missile, they appear to be built in North Korea and have been exported to Myanmar (earlier speculations believed they were imported from Myanmar). The missile gives

2640-533: The Korean People's Navy ( KPN ), is the naval component of the Korean People's Army , the North Korean armed forces. There are some 780 vessels including 70 midget submarines (including the Yono-class submarine and Sang-O-class submarine ), 20 Romeo-class submarines , and about 140 air cushioned landing craft. The North Korean navy is considered a brown-water (or riverine) navy and operates mainly within

2728-557: The Korean War and specified that the five islands including Yeonpyeong Island and Baengnyeong Island would remain under the control of the UNC and South Korea. However, they did not agree on a maritime demarcation line, primarily because the UNC wanted to base it on 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) or 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) of territorial waters , while North Korea wanted to use 12 nautical miles (22 km). In August 1953, shortly after

Northern Limit Line - Misplaced Pages Continue

2816-483: The Seoul Metropolitan Subway system. Line 1 (formerly Korea National Railroad of Seoul) extends to Cheonan past Gyeonggi Province to the southwest, and to Dongducheon to the north. Line 3 connects to Goyang to the north, while Line 4 is connected to Gwacheon and Ansan to the southwest. Line 7 is connected to Uijeongbu to the north and Gwangmyeong to the south, while Line 8 is connected to Seongnam to

2904-625: The Silkworm (SY-1) ). Though their small size limits operations to coastal waters and calm seas, they have a capability to quickly respond to Combined Forces Command (CFC) shipping approaching the coast. The KPAN has 12 Osa-class missile boat , 10 DPRK versions of the Osa-1 called the Soju, and 19 other fast-attack missile craft; the Osa and Osa-1 are all equipped with four Silkworm (SY-1) missile launchers. The missiles have

2992-832: The Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Seongnam FC . Korea's foremost thoroughbred horse racing track Seoul Race Park is in Gwacheon . Gyeonggi Province has long been famous for its Icheon rice, Yangpyeong Korean beef, Suwon cow ribs and Korean court cuisine, and marine delicacies made of fresh marine products from the west coast. National housewife scenery festival, traditional flag game, culture and art festival, international food festival, drawing of Mars Ansan Kim Hong-do Festival: Danwon PR Hall, antique necessity products exhibition, yard play, art experience, traditional eateries Art Assembly Yeoju Branch Yeoju Agricultural Technology Center Empress Anniversary While Korean fauna

3080-451: The U.S. Embassy in Seoul that "We are aware of no evidence that NLL has ever been officially presented to North Korea." However, South Korea argues that until the 1970s North Korea tacitly recognized the line as a sea demarcation line. North Korea recorded in their 1959 Central Almanac a partial demarcation line close to the UNC controlled islands, at about three nautical miles distance, which South Korea argues shows North Korean acceptance of

3168-729: The 146,000-man Korean Peoples' Army Navy (KPAN) is primarily a coastal navy. The KPAN is organized into two fleets: the East Coast Fleet, with eight operational commands, and the West Coast Fleet, with five operational commands. The East Coast Fleet is headquartered at Toejo Dong , with major bases at Najin and Wonsan . The West Coast Fleet is headquartered at Nampo , with major bases at Pipagot and Sagon Ni. Numerous smaller naval bases are located along both coasts. The fleets do not exchange vessels because geographical limitations make mutual support almost impossible. The KPAN does not have

3256-410: The 1953 Armistice was concluded between the U.N. and North Korea, agreement over a maritime extension of the demilitarized zone was not achieved. In 1955, DPRK proclaimed territorial waters extending 12 nautical miles (22 km). from the coastline. Other than this, North Korea did not explicitly dispute or actively violate the NLL until 1973. First, the North Korean negotiators at the 346th meeting of

3344-520: The 1970s has been: In 2002 the Ministry of National Defense published a paper reasserting the legitimacy of the NLL, and arguing that North Korea's claims regarding NLL were groundless. The paper concluded that: On October 4, 2007, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il addressed the issue of NLL disputes in a joint statement : "The South and the North have agreed to create

3432-429: The 50 kilometer exclusion zone. The fleet consists of east and west coast squadrons, which cannot support each other in the event of war with an adversary such as South Korea . The limited range of its vessels means that, even in peacetime, it is virtually impossible for a ship on one coast to visit the other coast. The KPN was established on 5 June 1946. On 13 October 2013, submarine chaser number 233 departed on

3520-570: The Gyeonggi Bay is −4 °C (25 °F), the Namhangang (River) Basin is −4 to −6 °C (25 to 21 °F), and the Bukhangang (River) and Imjingang Basins are −6 to −8 °C (21 to 18 °F). It becomes colder and higher in temperature differentiation from coastal to inland areas. Summer has a lower local differentiation compared to winter. The inland areas are hotter than the Gyeonggi Bay area,

3608-558: The Icheon Ceramics Exposition. Heyri Art Valley is Korea's largest art town. Various Korean artists constructed the cultural town of Heyri and it features several art galleries and museums; there are about 40 museums, exhibitions, concert halls and bookstores. Religion in Gyeonggi Province (2015) According to the census of 2015, of the people of Gyeonggi Province 32.0% follow Christianity (23.0% Protestantism and 9.0% Catholicism ) and 10.7% follow Buddhism . 57.3% of

Northern Limit Line - Misplaced Pages Continue

3696-498: The KPN the potential to considerably improve its anti-surface missiles. In addition to the missiles, the SES vessels show a reversed-engined gun of 76 mm (3 in). Kh-35 missiles were also installed during 2014 on one of the two old Najin-class frigates (replacing the previous obsolete KN-01 missiles): the ship also received upgrades in gunnery. In autumn 2014, satellite images identified

3784-414: The Korean Peninsula , which agreed that areas around the Northern Limit Line would be converted into a maritime peace zone in order to prevent accidental military clashes and guarantee safe fishing activities. The UNC emphasized its position on the border issue on 23 August 1999, stating that the NLL issue was non-negotiable because the demarcation line had been recognized as the de facto maritime border for

3872-565: The Korean People's Army Naval Force stagnated with a number of ships becoming old and weapons turning obsolete, this peaked with an accident during drills, when the Chosun Ilbo reported that in mid-October 2013, one of the DPRK's Hainan-class submarine chasers and one of its smaller patrol boats sank during maneuvers in the Sea of Japan with an unknown loss of life. After 2013 surfaced on western analysis,

3960-557: The Military Armistice Commission challenged the status of the line. North Korea followed this up by sending large groups of patrol ships over the NLL on about 43 occasions in October and November. North Korea states that it had not been informed of the existence of the line, which is now confirmed by declassified U.S. diplomatic cables, so it could not dispute it earlier. North Korea's official state news agency KCNA described

4048-604: The NLL as a "critical border that contributes to keeping peace on our land." South Korean academics at the Korea Maritime Institute argued in 2001 that the legal situation between the two Koreas is a special regime governed by the armistice agreement, and not usual international law such as the Law of the Sea . Consequently, the NLL is subject to political agreement between the two Koreas, rather than international law remedies. The United States government position, separate from

4136-489: The NLL as a whole. The border is not officially recognized by North Korea. The North Korean and South Korean navies regularly patrol the area around the NLL. As North Korea does not recognise the line, its fishing boats work close to or over the limit line, escorted by North Korean naval boats. On 27 April 2018, North Korea and South Korea adopted the Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of

4224-543: The NLL crosses into waters presumed to be under uncontested North Korean sovereignty. No evidence was found that North Korea had recognised the NLL. While the NLL was drawn up at a time when a territorial waters limit of 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) was the norm, by the 1970s a limit of 12 nautical miles (22 km) had become internationally accepted, and the enforcement of the NLL prevented North Korea, in areas, from accessing significant territorial waters (arguably actual or prospective). In 1973, North Korea began disputing

4312-464: The NLL. In November 2010, following the North Korean Shelling of Yeonpyeong , President Barack Obama said the U.S. stood "shoulder to shoulder" with South Korea and condemned the attack, but did not specifically address the NLL. Clashes between North and South Korean fishing boats and naval vessels have frequently occurred along the NLL. As the waters along the NLL are rich in blue crab ,

4400-491: The NLL. Later, after the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea , the NLL also prevented North Korea from establishing an effective Exclusive Economic Zone to control fishing in the area. It is unclear when North Korea was informed of the existence of the NLL. Many sources suggest this was done promptly, but in 1973 Deputy Secretary of State Kenneth Rush stated, in a now declassified, "Joint State-Defense Message" to

4488-464: The Northern Limit Line. After the United Nations Command and North Korea failed to reach an agreement, it is widely believed that the line was set by the UNC as a practical operational control measure a month after the armistice was signed, on August 30, 1953. However original documentation recording this has not been found. The line was originally drawn to prevent South Korean incursions into

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4576-551: The Pyeongtaek Harbor. Besides this, it is known for its special local products such as Icheon rice and Gwangju ceramics. Leading companies representing Korea, including Samsung Electronics ' headquarters, SK Hynix 's headquarters, NAVER 's headquarters, Samsung SDI 's headquarters, and Paju LG Corporation's LCD complex , are gathered in southern Gyeonggi Province, including Suwon City. Gyeonggi Province consists of 28 cities (special: 7, normal: 21) and three counties. This

4664-532: The ROK. The DPRK also maintains coastal defense artillery and missile sites. Coastal defense artillery includes 122 mm, 130 mm, and 152 mm systems. Land-based coastal defense missiles include the KS-1 Komet , Silkworm (HY-1 and HY-2) . The KPAN's most capable weapons systems are their approximately 43 guided-missile patrol boats equipped with the P-15 Termit antiship missile (or its Chinese version,

4752-478: The Soviet era. In summer jackets are white in the full dress uniform. Junior ratings and seamen wear white shirts (in the summer) or navy blue shirts (in the winter) with black/white jackets and slacks (skirts for women) and wear sailor caps . All ranks wear shoulder and collar insignia while all officers, flag officers included, wear sleeve insignia as well in their service blue uniforms. At first, an ordinance issued by

4840-565: The U.S. Department of Defense , released in early 2014, identified the North Korean Navy's strength at 60,000 personnel, 70 submarines, 420 gun boats, 260 amphibious landing craft, 30 mine warfare vessels, and 30 support ships. Most KPAN vessels are small patrol-size craft unable to operate over 50 nautical miles (NM) from the coast but capable of policing the DPRK's territorial waters. The navy's numerous amphibious craft and midget submarines are intended to clandestinely insert SOF units into

4928-410: The U.S. saw that as a major problem for the U.S. position on the armistice agreement. In 1975 the UNC position was that North Korean fishing or patrolling south of the NLL, outside 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) of the UNC controlled islands, was not justification for any coercive actions by UNC controlled vessels; the UNC would not participate in establishing an exclusive South Korean fishing zone. When

5016-488: The United Nations Command, is not clearly expressed. When asked about the NLL, United States government representatives usually refer questioners to the UNC in South Korea. In February 1975, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger wrote in a confidential cable, now declassified, that the "Northern Patrol Limit Line does not have international legal status ... Insofar as it purports unilaterally to divide international waters, it

5104-638: The World Cultural Heritage, Namwonsanseong, Haengjusanseong, Ganghwasanseong, and Doksan Fortress . For Buddhist temples, there are many aged temples within Gyeonggi Province where one can experience 'temple stay'. You can view folk culture in the Korean Folk Village in Yongin , and the scene of Korea's division at Panmunjom in Paju . Gyeonggi Province is investing a lot of money at a provincial level so that people do not have to go to Seoul to enjoy

5192-407: The armistice agreement. However, a 1973 U.S. diplomatic cable, now declassified, noted that UNC protested North Korean intrusions within 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) of UNC controlled islands as armistice agreement violations, but did not protest NLL intrusions as the NLL was not mentioned in the armistice agreement. South Korea wished to describe all NLL penetrations as "military provocations", but

5280-488: The backbone of Seoul in the means of manufacturing complex, Gyeonggi Province is evenly developed in heavy industry (electronics, machine, heavy and chemical industry, steel), light industry (textile), and farm, livestock and fisheries industry. Due to the influence of recent high wages, the weight of manufacturing industries has decreased in Korea's economy. Gyeonggi Province is making efforts in many ways to improve and modernize

5368-623: The central region of Goryeo as King Taejo of Goryeo (the kingdom following Silla) set up the capital in Gaesong. Since 1018 (the 9th year of Goryeo's King Hyeonjong ), this area has been officially called "Gyeonggi". During the Joseon , which was founded after the Goryeo, King Taejo of Joseon set the capital in Hanyang, while restructuring Gyeonggi's area to include Gwangju, Suwon, Yeoju, and Anseong, along with

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5456-462: The coastal area has only 900 millimetres (35 in) of precipitation. The topography of Gyeonggi Province is divided into southern and northern areas by the Han River , which flows from east to west. The area north to the Han River is mainly mountainous, while the southern area is mainly plain. The configuration of Gyeonggi Province is represented by Dong-go-seo-jeo (high in the east and low in

5544-400: The conventional industry structure, resulting in quick growth of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises such as U-JIN Tech Corp. Gyeonggi Province is unsparingly investing in the promotion of service industries related to soft competitive power such as state-of-the-art IT industry, designing, conventions and tourism, along with its great leap as a commercial hub in Northeast Asia using

5632-426: The early 1970s, China helped the DPRK start its own Romeo construction program. The Romeos are well equipped, have an improved sonar, and can carry 14 torpedoes or 28 mines. To date, the DPRK has indigenously produced over 200 personnel landing craft. This includes approximately 100 Nampo personnel landing craft based on a former Soviet P-6 torpedo boat hull. The Nampo has a maximum speed of 40 knots (74 km/h) and

5720-456: The entire population of South Korea at the 2020 census. Its name, Gyeonggi , means "京 (the capital) and 畿 (the surrounding area)". Thus, Gyeonggi Province can be translated as "Seoul and the surrounding areas of Seoul". Gyeonggi Province has been a politically important area since 18 BCE, when Korea was divided into three nations during the Three Kingdoms period. Ever since King Onjo ,

5808-606: The entry into force of the armistice agreement, the South Korean Syngman Rhee Provisional government, which opposed the armistice agreement, attempted to attack the DPRK on the west coast, ignoring the agreement. Accordingly, the United Nations Command set up the "Northern Limit Line" of the West Sea so that the ROK Armed Forces would not attack Hwanghae Island, and this is the starting point of

5896-530: The founder of Baekje (one of the three kingdoms), founded the government in Wiryeseong of Hanam, the Han River Valley was absorbed into Goguryeo in the mid-fifth century, and became Silla 's territory in the year 553 (the 14th year of King Jinheung ). Afterward, the current location of Gyeonggi Province, one of the nine states of Later Silla , was called Hansanju. The Gyeonggi region started to rise as

5984-500: The grave. On 11 March 2016, CNN and the U.S. Naval Institute News reported that unnamed US officials believed a North Korean submarine had been lost in the Sea of Japan. According to reports, the U.S. military had been observing the submarine when it "stopped" before the North Korean navy was observed by American spy satellites, aircraft and ships to be searching the area. According to the Defense Intelligence Agency ,

6072-500: The ground forces, 60% of the vessels are stationed near the demarcation line. North Korea has constructed and is operating up to 130 hovercraft, each one capable of transporting a special forces platoon and operating freely in difficult terrain such as tidal flats, and able to be used for multiple landings by special forces troops at the onset of any war. The Times puts the total in 2009 at "420 warships and 60 submarines." The annual report of North Korea's military capabilities by

6160-399: The hottest area is Pyeongtaek , making the average temperature of August 26.5 °C (79.7 °F). The annual average precipitation is around 1,100 millimetres (43 in), with a lot of rainfall. It is rainy in summer and dry during winter. The northeastern inland areas of Bukhangang and the upper stream of Imjingang has a precipitation of 1,300–1,400 millimetres (51–55 in), whereas

6248-509: The largest domestic "English village" for education in the English language , as well as villages in Ansan and Yangpyeong. Gyeonggi Province has long been a capital area, leaving many historic relics and ruins. For royal tombs (called reung), there are Donggureung of Guri , and Gwangreung, Hongreung and Yureung of Namyangju . For castles (called seong), there are Suwon Hwaseong , which is designated as

6336-405: The line as the "final line for stopping the defectors to the north" drawn to meet "Washington's self-justified interests." On 1 August 1977, North Korea established an Exclusive Economic Zone of up to 200 nautical miles (370 km). It also attempted to establish a 50 nautical miles (93 km) military boundary zone around the islands claimed by South Korea along the NLL; however, this claim

6424-731: The listed, the scenery of well-known mountains including Soyosan of Dongducheon City, Yongmunsan of Yangpyeong County , and Gwanaksan of Anyang and Gwacheon , along with Hangang and Imjingang are tourist sites of Gyeonggi Province. Gyeonggi Province has shown a rapid increase in population due to the modernization and urbanization of the Republic of Korea. Its population has increased from 2,748,765 in 1960 to 3,703,761 in 1980; 6,050,943 in 1990; 8,984,134 in 2000; 11,379,459 in 2010; and 13,511,676 in 2020. In 2010 there were 4,527,282 households, with an average of 3 people per family. There were 6,112,339 males and 5,959,545 females. The population density

6512-413: The north that threatened the armistice. However, its role has since been transformed to prevent North Korean ships heading south. A 1974 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) research report investigating the origins of the NLL and its significance, declassified in 2000, found that the NLL was established in an order made on 14 January 1965 by the U.S. Commander Naval Forces, Korea. An antecedent line, under

6600-526: The only city to change control after the countries were divided at the 38th parallel , which is now part of North Korea's North Hwanghae Province . In 1967 the seat of the Gyeonggi provincial government was transferred from Seoul to Suwon . After Incheon separated from Gyeonggi Province in 1981, Gyeonggi regions such as Ongjin County and Ganghwa County were incorporated into Incheon in 1995. Gyeonggi Province

6688-473: The population is mostly not religious or follow indigenous religions . The Province has Ilsan Lake Park , one of the largest lake parks in the country. In addition, there is Gwanggyo Lake Park , which was redeveloped in 2013. The 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup matches were held in Suwon World Cup Stadium . As for the professional soccer teams with Gyeonggi Province as their home ground, there are

6776-480: The province. Herons frequent the provinces waterways. These include the black-crowned night heron , great white egret , grey heron , little egret , medium egret , striated heron , great cormorant , and Japanese cormorant . Korean People%27s Navy The Korean People's Army Navy ( KPANF ; Korean :  조선인민군 해군 ; Hanja :  朝鮮人民軍 海軍 ; MR :  Chosŏn-inmingun Haegun ; lit.  Korean People's Military Navy; or

6864-548: The sea from the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), and consists of straight line segments between 12 approximate channel midpoints, extended in an arc to prevent egress between both sides. On its western end the line extends out along the 38th parallel to the median line between Korea and China. The 1953 Armistice Agreement , which was signed by both North Korea and the United Nations Command (UNC), ended

6952-469: The seaborne clashes have sometimes been dubbed the "Crab Wars". Incidents include: Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi Province ( Korean :  경기도 ; RR :  Gyeonggi-do , Korean pronunciation: [kjʌ̹ŋ.ɡi.do̞] ) is the most populous province in South Korea . Seoul , the nation's largest city and capital, is in the heart of the area but has been separately administered as

7040-480: The shore. This prevents the development of Haeju as a large international port. Since September 1999, North Korea has claimed a more southerly "West Sea Military Demarcation Line" (also called "Inter-Korean MDL"). This maritime demarcation line is an extension line from the land boundary equidistant from the north and south mainlands, with channels to the north-west islands under UNC control, claimed to be based on international law delimitation decisions. According to

7128-601: The south. Uijeongbu has its own light rail system, the U Line , which connects to Line 1. A short section of the AREX line between Gimpo and Incheon airports passes through Gyeonggi, but there are no stops within the province. Gyeonggi Province is actively investing in education to foster a talented population suitable for the globalized economy. It is promoting the opening of local campuses of reputable universities as well as establishing special purpose high schools for high-quality education. It has also founded and operates at Paju

7216-471: The southeast region. Since the period of King Taejong and Sejong the Great , the Gyeonggi region has been very similar to the current administrative area of Gyeonggi Province. In 1895 the 23-Bu system, which reorganized administrative areas, was effected. The Gyeonggi region was divided into Hanseong (modern Seoul ), Incheon , Chungju , Gongju , and Kaesong . During the Japanese colonial period , Hanseong-bu

7304-723: The two coasts ( Sea of Japan and Yellow Sea ) with major and minor bases: The western fleet has approximately 300 watercraft (administrative, operational and logistic support), berthing facility for Yellow Sea Fleet; home to shipyard and sub base The eastern fleet has approximately 470 ships and small craft. Some ships are domestically built at Wonsan and Nampho shipyards. Southern bases on each coasts are used to organize infiltrations into South Korea and Japan. The rank insignia of commissioned officers . The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel . The naval officers wear black jackets and pants with blue shirt and dark tie underneath. Their peaked caps are from

7392-573: The west), where the Gwangju Mountain Range and the Charyeong Mountain Range spreads from the east and drops in elevation in the west. The fields of Gimpo, Gyeonggi, and Pyeongtaek extend to the west. Gyeonggi Province natural environment includes its rivers, lakes, mountains, and seas. Its representative rivers are the Hangang, Imjingang, and Anseongcheon Fg(Stream), which flow into the Yellow Sea, with Gyeonggi Plain, Yeonbaek Plain and Anseong Plain forming

7480-413: The west, Gangwon Province to the east, North Chungcheong Province and South Chungcheong Province to the south, and has Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea, in its center. Its provincial government is in Suwon, but some of its government buildings are in Uijeongbu for the administrative conveniences of the northern region . The climate of Gyeonggi Province is the continental climate, which has

7568-422: Was 1,119 people/km , almost double the national average of 486 people/km . The province's most heavily populated area as of 2024 is Suwon (1,195,000) followed by Yongin (1,085,000), Goyang (1,071,000), Hwasung (962,000), Seongnam (915,000) and Bucheon (772,000). The lowest populated area in 2010 was Yeoncheon County (41,000), followed by Gapyeong County (62,000) and Yangpyeong County (72,595). As

7656-511: Was incorporated into Gyeonggi Province. On October 1, 1910, it was renamed Keijo and a provincial government was placed in Keijo according to the reorganization of administrative districts. After liberation and the foundation of two separate Korean states, Gyeonggi Province and its capital, Seoul, were separated with partial regions of Gyeonggi Province being incorporated into Seoul thereafter in 1946. Additionally, Kaesong became North Korean territory,

7744-469: Was rebuffed. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, North Korea wanted to establish a special economic zone and international port at Haeju , their southern deepwater port, to develop alternative trade opportunities. However, with the NLL enforced, access to Haeju required shipping to travel along North Korean coast for 65 nautical miles (120 km), often within 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) of

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