Jayu Park

Jayu Park
Main square in the park (2023)
Map
LocationIncheon, South Korea
Coordinates37°28′32.200″N 126°37′19.099″E / 37.47561111°N 126.62197194°E / 37.47561111; 126.62197194
StatusOpen all year
ParkingAvailable

Jayu Park (Korean: 자유공원; Hanja: 自由公園; RR: Jayugongwon), also known as Freedom Park, is an urban park located in Incheon, South Korea. Established in 1888, it is the first Western-style park of Korea.[1]

Description

The park is located on a bluff overlooking the city's harbor. Prominently placed is a statue of general Douglas MacArthur. The park also houses a number of other statues, a small zoo, and a memorial to the Joseon–United States Treaty of 1882.[2] The park is also renowned for its cherry blossom blooming season.[3]

History

Jayu Park reflects Korea's modern and contemporary history. In 1888, the park was managed by the Foreign Residents' Association, so citizens at that time called it Gakgukgongwon. After 1914 when foreign settlements were abolished and the park management rights were transferred to Incheon, its name was changed to Seogongwon or Yamate Park. After the March First Movement in 1919, Hanseong Provisional Government was declared in the park.

After Korea's liberation in 1945, it was called Mangukgongwon. More than half of the park was destroyed in the Korean War.[4] After the statue of Douglas MacArthur who lead the Battle of Inchon was built in 1957, its name was changed to Jayugongwon.[5]

Incident

In 2005, a pro-North Korea group (우리민족연방제통일추진회의) protested for the removal of the MacArthur statue.[6]

  • View of the port of Incheon from the park (2006)
    View of the port of Incheon from the park (2006)
  • Korea-USA friendship monument (2007)
    Korea-USA friendship monument (2007)

References

  1. ^ Kim, Yeonghwan (2019-10-20). "만국공원이 자유공원이 된 사연은?". Hankook Ilbo.
  2. ^ "Freedom Park (Jayu Park)". AFAR Media.
  3. ^ Korea Tourism Organization. "Incheon Jayu Park (자유공원 (인천))". VisitKorea.or.kr.
  4. ^ Kim, Soon-ki (2023). "Historical Changes of Incheon Freedom Park and Its Heritage Value Interpretation as the Historic Urban Public Park". Journal of Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture. 41 (4): 35.
  5. ^ "자유공원". Incheon Junggu.
  6. ^ "'맥아더 동상 철거시위' 련방통추 의장 구속". Yonhap News. 2010-08-04.

Media related to Jayu Park, Incheon at Wikimedia Commons