Wolmido
| Wolmido ( 월미도 ) | ||
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| Waters | Yellow Sea | |
| Geographical location | 37 ° 28 ' N , 126 ° 36' E | |
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| surface | 1.33 km² | |
| Highest elevation | 108 m | |
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| Wolmido, also Wolmi-do | |
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| Korean alphabet : | 월미도 |
| Hanja : | 月 尾 島 |
| Revised Romanization : | Wolmido |
| McCune-Reischauer : | Wŏlmido |
Wolmido ( Korean 월미도 ), also Wŏlmido or Wŏlmi-do , is an island off the coast of South Korea . It is in front of the port city of Incheon , has an area of 1.33 km² and serves as a local recreation area with a central park and various leisure activities. Its name ("moon tail") is presumably based on its shape, which is reminiscent of part of a crescent moon . Administratively it belongs to the Jung ( 중구 ) district.
geography
The island essentially consists of a mountain rising out of the water, the summit of which rises 108 m above the surrounding bay. With an area of 0.62 km², it forms the historical area of the island. Due to landfills in connection with the development of Incheon into a free trade zone and economic metropolis, the area of Wolmido has almost doubled since the 1970s .
climate
Just like in Incheon, Wolmido has a relatively dry climate compared to the south of the country. On average, there is only 1152 mm of rain per year. There are an average of 101 rainy days per year, snow falls on 22 additional days and fog prevails on about 49 days a year (especially in July). The average temperature is 11.9 ° C, with January being the coldest month at −3.1 ° C and August being the warmest month at 24.9 ° C. The region is also regularly hit by typhoons and their foothills.
history
Wolmido's story is closely tied to that of Incheon. Archaeological finds suggest that people have lived in the region since the Neolithic Age.
On February 9, 1904, the area became the scene of the Russo-Japanese War : During an attempt to break out of the port of Tschemulpo (then the name of the city of Incheon), the Russian cruiser Varyag and the gunboat Korejez were caught in the crossfire of a Japanese squadron within sight of the island. Both ships then returned to the port, where they were sunk by their crews themselves .
On September 10, 1950 - during the Korean War - the United States Armed Forces began a five-day bombardment of the island by airplanes and warships , which was then occupied by North Korean troops. It served to prepare for the landing of allied UN troops in Incheon ( Operation Chromite ). Among other things, at least 93 napalm bombs were dropped and several hundred civilians were killed. This approach inspired the North Korean propaganda film Wolmi Island from 1982; a soccer club in North Korea ( Wolmido Sports Club ) was named after the island.
After the bombing, the island was captured by US Marines of the 1st Marine Division on the morning of September 15, 1950 . As a result, a military was at the site of the present Wolmi Park base built, the first before the restoration was vacated the park 2,001th
Scuttling of Varyag and Russian gunboat Korietz , 1904
Bombing of Wolmido on September 13, 1950 in preparation for Operation Chromite
Incheon military landing map
US Marines of the 1st Marine Division with raised flags at the summit of Wolmido, 1950
.svg)
Attractions
- Wolmisan Park ( 월미 공원 ) with a traditional Korean garden and viewpoints over the harbor
- Museum of Korean Emigrants
- Promenade with entertainment and shopping opportunities
- Wolmi Leisure Park (formerly Play Hill )
Economy and Infrastructure
The island has been linked to the mainland by a dam since the beginning of the 19th century. There has also been a four-lane expressway connection since 1989. At the end of 2019, an elevated monorail was added for better tourist development ( Wolmi Sea Train ), which connects to the Seoul subway network.
There is also a ferry connection from the island to the neighboring island of Yeongjongdo with Incheon Airport .
With the expansive Wolmisan Park , the consumer and entertainment-oriented promenade in the west of the island and the good infrastructure connections, Wolmido primarily serves the residents of Incheon as a day trip destination and local recreation area. In the north of the island there are port facilities in the area of new landfills and in the south there is the Incheon National Maritime High School (INMHS).
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Wolmido Island on visitkorea.or.kr (archived). Retrieved March 30, 2020 .
- ^ Wolmido residents demand joint investigation into Korean War massacre in The Hankyoreh dated September 16, 2009, (archived). Retrieved March 30, 2020 .
- ↑ The museum's website on Korean Emigrants. Retrieved March 30, 2020 (Korean).
- ↑ Wolmi Sea Train kicks off in the Korea Herold. Retrieved March 30, 2020 .
