Chuncheon
South Korea · Asia
About Chuncheon
Chuncheon is the capital of the state of Gangwon Province, South Korea. Its population is about 290,000 as of 2026. The city lies in the north of the country, located in a basin surrounded by the Soyang River and Han River. There are artificial lakes in the city such as Soyang Lake and Uiam Lake. Gangwon Provincial Office is located in the city.
People have lived in Chuncheon since the Paleolithic Age.
There are records that Maekguk was founded in Chuncheon but it seems to have been conquered by Goguryeo. In 637, Silla established Usu-ju in Chuncheon but whether it was continuously its territory it is not known. After the unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, Silla established Suyak-ju in the region. In the reign of King Gyeongdeok, it was renamed to Sak-ju, and later Gwanghae-ju.
In 940 (23th year of the reign of King Taejo), it was renamed to Chun-ju. In mid Goryeo, the region was invaded by Khitans, Mongols and wokou. In 1413 (13th year of the reign of King Taejong), it was renamed to Chuncheon-gun.
In 1896, Chuncheon became the capital city of Gangwon...
Overview adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA. Photography via Wikimedia Commons.