History
Wonju is a green city full of hope with dream to be a dynamic city based on its original and beautiful nature.
Ancient times
- According to the archeological investigations of ruins conducted so far, it is estimated that Wonju began to be inhabited by early humans thousands of years ago.
- Wonju is thought to have been in the easternmost part of Mahan that consisted of 54 tribal countries during the Three Han era
The Three Kingdom era
- With the unification of Mahan by Baekje, Wonju became a territory of Baekje until Goguryeo occupied the region with the Southward Expansion Policy. Wonju was renamed as Pyeongwon-gun in the 57th year of King Jangsu's reign (469).
The Unified Silla era
- In the 18th year of King Munmu's reign (678), the administrative districts of the country were reorganized under a 9 ju and 5 sogyeong system, and Wonju was named Bugwon-sogyeong, and renamed Bugwon-gyeong since the reign of King Gyeongdeok.
- As Silla's national power declined at the end of the 9th century, revolts broke out across the country, and Yang Gil from one of Silla's most powerful families, expanded his power from Wonju to a larger area that covered today's Gangwon-do Province.
The Goryeo era
- 23rd year of King Taejo (940): Renamed from Bugwon-gyeong to Wonju with the abolition of the old administrative district system
- 14th year of King Seongjong (995): Incorporated into Chungwon-do (present Chungcheongbuk-do) with the reorganization of administrative districts into 10 do and 12 mok
- 17th year of King Chungnyeol (1291): Renamed as Ikeung-dohobu to commemorate the contribution of Won Chung-gap, a civil servant candidate, and the residents of Wonju to defeating the Mongolian rebel forces from the Yuan China
- 34th year of King Chungnyeol (1308): Promoted to Wonju-mok to become the administrative center of the region
The Joseon era
- In 1395, with the reorganization of local administrative districts, Gangneung-do and Gyoju-do were integrated into a province named as "Gangwon-do" by combining "Gang" of Gangneung and "Won" of Wonju. With the establishment of Gangwon Gamyeong (Gangwon Province administration building) in Wonju, it began to serve as the administrative, security, social and cultural center of the region.
- With the reform of the local administrative districts on May 26, 1895, the whole country was divided into 23 bu and 337 gun. Wonju was incorporated into Chungju-bu, and on August 4, 1896, based on the framework of eight do (provinces), the nation was reorganized into 13 do, 1 mok, 7 bu, and 331 gun, with the relocation of Gangwon Gamyeong from Wonju to Chuncheon.
Modern times
- January 1, 1916: In accordance with the Japanese Government-General of Korea's Gangwon Provincial Notification No. 52 (The Japanese Government-General of Korea Gazette No. 1032, January 15, 1916), Wonju-gun was divided into 10 myeon and 67 ri (5 ri in Bonbu-myeon, 5 ri in Geummulsan-myeon, 5 ri in Gwirae-myeon, 7 ri in Garipa-myeon, 6 ri in Panbu-myeon, 7 ri in Socho-myeon, 9 ri in Hojeo-myeon, 8 ri in Jijeong-myeon, 9 ri in Geondeung-myeon, and 6 ri in Buron-myeon) (promulgated on December 25, 1915 and enforced on January 1, 1916)
- October 1, 1938: Pursuant to Ministerial Ordinance No. 197 (promulgated on September 27, 1938 and enforced on October 1 of the same year), Bonbu-myeon of Wonju-gun was promoted to Wonju-eup, resulting in the change in administrative division from 10 myeon to 1 eup and 9 myeon.
- September 1, 1955: In accordance with Act No. 372 (Act on the Establishment of Wonju City; promulgated on August 13, 1955 and enforced on September 1 of the same year), Wonju-si was established with 18 dong of which Haenggu-dong, Dangu-dong and Usan-dong were made by incorporating the entirety of Wonju-eup, Dangu-ri and Haenggu-ri in Panbu-myeon, Usan-ri in Hojeo-myeon of Wonju-gun into the city area. The remaning area of Wonju-gun was renamed as Wonseong-gun.
- January 1, 1989: Under Act No. 4050 (promulgated on December 31, 1988 and enforced in January 1989), Wonseong-gun was renamed as Wonju-gun.
- January 1, 1995: In accordance with Act No. 4774 (promulgated on August 3), Wonju-si and Wonju-gun was integrated into a single city with the name "Wonju" maintained. (9 myeon, 18 dong: Socho-myeon, Hojeo-myeon, Jijeong-myeon, Munmak-myeon, Buron-myeon, Gwirae-myeon, Heungeop-myeon, Panbu-myeon, and Sillim-myeon; Jungang-dong, Pyeongwon-dong, Won-dong, In-dong, Gaeun-dong, Myeongnyun-dong, Dangu-dong, Ilsan-dong, Hakseong-dong, Dangye-dong, Usan-dong, Taejang-dong, Gahyeon-dong, Bongsan-dong, Musil-dong, Haeng-gu-dong, Gwanseol-dong, and Bangok-dong)
- January 1, 1999: In accordance with City Ordinance No. 341 (promulgated on December 24, 1998), the names and ranges of administrative districts (eup, myeon and dong) were adjusted as follows: Hakseong 2-dong and Jungangpyeongwon-dong to Jungang-dong, Bongsan 1 and 2-dong to Bongsan-dong, Gwanseol-dong and Bangok-dong to Bangokgwanseol-dong, Hakseong 1-dong to Hakseong-dong, part of Dangye-dong to Musil-dong, with range adjustment (1 eup, 8 myeon and 16 dong: Munmak-eup, Socho-myeon, Hojeo-myeon, Jijeong-myeon, Buron-myeon, Gwirae-myeon, Heungeop-myeon, Panbu-myeon, and Sillim-myeon; Jungang-dong, Wonin-dong, Gaeun-dong, Myeongnyun 1 and 2-dong, Dangu-dong, Ilsan-dong, Hakseong-dong, Dangye-dong, Usan-dong, Taejang 1 and 2-dong, Bongsan-dong, Haenggu-dong, Musil-dong, and Bangokgwanseol-dong)
- September 1, 2005: Wonju-si celebrated the 50th anniversary of its establishment as a city.