By Woo Hae-chung
The port city of Incheon, once a battleground between Korea and foreign powers, has become the venue for this year's Asian Games ― an international sporting event that upholds diplomacy and goodwill.
One of the nation's most populous cities with a population of about 3 million, Incheon is ready for the festival with the arrival of visitors from around the world eager to cheer for their home countries.
But it used to be a common location for battles between the Joseon Kingdom and colonial powers during the 19th century.
"As one of the ports nearest to the capital of the Joseon Kingdom, Incheon was often involved in battles against foreign invasions," said Professor Park Young-june at the Graduate School of Defense Management at the National Defense University of Korea.
Because of its strategic location, the city was invaded three times by the French, American and Japanese during the late Joseon era. Incheon's Ganghwa Island still has ramparts from the ancient "Jeongjoksanseong" in 1866, during which the Koreans defeated the French military. US General Douglas McArthur also launched the famous Incheon Landings in 1950 in reclaiming the city from North Korean forces.
Incheon's role as an entrance for foreign invaders, however, began to change with the nation's industrial development and opening to the world.
The desolate former battlefield now performs a leading role in boosting international trade with the establishment of the Incheon Free Economic Zone in 2003.
The Incheon International Airport enables residents and tourists to reach China and Japan within two hours. It also has a passenger terminal that connects travelers to 10 Chinese ports.
Aside from facilitating international trade, the port is also an entry point for many Chinese immigrants, therefore helping improve diversity in the country. These Chinese immigrants have settled near the Incheon port in what is now known as Chinatown, better known as the birthplace of "jajangmyeon," the black noodle dish that is one of the most popular dishes of Koreans.
Because of its history and culture, the port city of Incheon provides many tourist spots besides the Asiad Stadium.
It includes famous theme parks at Wolmido Island and Songdo that attracted more than 200,000 Chinese tourists in the first half of this year alone, largely due to Hallyu ― the Korean wave consisting of K-pop and Korean soap operas.
"Incheon has much more potential for growth than any other city in Korea, and by hosting Asian Games, the city will make a great leap forward to become a center of the world," Mayor YooJeong-bok said at a press conference Thursday, a day ahead of the opening ceremony of the Asiad.
The port city of Incheon, once a battleground between Korea and foreign powers, has become the venue for this year's Asian Games ― an international sporting event that upholds diplomacy and goodwill.
One of the nation's most populous cities with a population of about 3 million, Incheon is ready for the festival with the arrival of visitors from around the world eager to cheer for their home countries.
But it used to be a common location for battles between the Joseon Kingdom and colonial powers during the 19th century.
"As one of the ports nearest to the capital of the Joseon Kingdom, Incheon was often involved in battles against foreign invasions," said Professor Park Young-june at the Graduate School of Defense Management at the National Defense University of Korea.
Because of its strategic location, the city was invaded three times by the French, American and Japanese during the late Joseon era. Incheon's Ganghwa Island still has ramparts from the ancient "Jeongjoksanseong" in 1866, during which the Koreans defeated the French military. US General Douglas McArthur also launched the famous Incheon Landings in 1950 in reclaiming the city from North Korean forces.
Incheon's role as an entrance for foreign invaders, however, began to change with the nation's industrial development and opening to the world.
The desolate former battlefield now performs a leading role in boosting international trade with the establishment of the Incheon Free Economic Zone in 2003.
The Incheon International Airport enables residents and tourists to reach China and Japan within two hours. It also has a passenger terminal that connects travelers to 10 Chinese ports.
Aside from facilitating international trade, the port is also an entry point for many Chinese immigrants, therefore helping improve diversity in the country. These Chinese immigrants have settled near the Incheon port in what is now known as Chinatown, better known as the birthplace of "jajangmyeon," the black noodle dish that is one of the most popular dishes of Koreans.
Because of its history and culture, the port city of Incheon provides many tourist spots besides the Asiad Stadium.
It includes famous theme parks at Wolmido Island and Songdo that attracted more than 200,000 Chinese tourists in the first half of this year alone, largely due to Hallyu ― the Korean wave consisting of K-pop and Korean soap operas.
"Incheon has much more potential for growth than any other city in Korea, and by hosting Asian Games, the city will make a great leap forward to become a center of the world," Mayor YooJeong-bok said at a press conference Thursday, a day ahead of the opening ceremony of the Asiad.
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