The National Arboretum is located in Jikdong-ri, Soheul-eup of Pochoen City in Gyeonggi Province. It is a 50-minute ride by bus (No. 21) from Euijeongbu Station (Subway Line No. 1).

 Established in 1999, the National Arboretum is the largest research institution in Korea specializing in the study of forest flora and fauna. It is composed of the special exhibition room, the museum of forests, the sample house of forest biology, the house of forest animals, and a research center for tropical plant resources. Approximately 11,000 items including remains and wood products are on public exhibition. The house of forest animals, which opened in 1991, cares for a total of 17 species of wild animals including Baekdusan tigers, Asiatic black bears, wolves, and so on. From late July to early August, the summer vacation and holiday period, the "Summer Student's Family Forest Camp" is held for families who have elementary school children. Advance reservations for visits to the National Arboretum are required. The admission fee is KRW 1,000 for adults and KRW 500 for children. Operation hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (closed on Sundays and Mondays).

Home Page & Phone Number: http://www.kna.go.kr - 031-540-2000

LOCATION | #511, Hwahyeon-ri, Hwahyeonmyeon,Pocheon TEL | 82-2-31-531-9300 URL | http://www.soolsool.co.kr With the display of traditional Korean liquor-related data and tools

Service hour : 09:30~17:00         (closed on Lunar New Year and Thanksgiving Day holidays)   visitors can see how liquor was made in the old days through the variety of artifacts, models and picture data. In the basement, traditional Korean liquors such as Baekhaju, Jugong Baekseju and Heukmiju have been recreated. On the 1st floor, visitors can taste five traditional Korean liquors, observe how liquor is fermented through a telescope, hear the sound of the liquor through a Suldok (a jar) and enjoy Ondolmaru (a heated floor). On the 2nd floor, 250 tools including Nurukteul, Yakteul and Sojugori are displayed in the order in which they are used for the fermentation of liquor.

Last modified : 2009. 07. 23   Source : The Gallery Sansawon (Liquor Museum)   Please contact website to get more information.   Reference : 82-31-531-9300

 

Green Fortune 4 _ Paradise of Botanical Gardens


The well-known the Korea National Arboretum (KNA) that occupies 4.95 square meters of land and Herb Island may be more famous than the city of Pocheon itself. However, Pocheon has many more beautiful botanical gardens including Peaceland Botanic Garden where there are a wide range of alpine plants, View Botanic Garden filled with fancy red poppy flowers and Yoo Botanic Garden specializing in various Iris flowers. For this reason, the city of Pocheon is often called as the paradise of botanical gardens.

Is Yoo Botanic Garden Still Under Construction?

Several excavators were busy digging the ground when I visited the Yoo Botanic Garden. The streets leading to the observatory were lined with fancy and colorful flower beds and pastel-colored houses that can be seen in fairy tales. When I reached the top of a hill, the president and landscape architect Yoo Sang-Hyeok warmly welcomed me, getting out of the excavator. I asked him in curiosity. “Is this botanic garden still under construction?”

“In fact, botanic gardens require constant renovations and constructions so as to grow plants and change the atmosphere. For these reasons, people misunderstand that the construction has not been completed,” he said.

Yoo Botanic Garden was established in 1988 with the start of the ground work and began to be filled with various trees and plants. Often introduced as a world-class botanic garden specializing in the cultivation of iris flowers, this place was under renovation to transform into the theme of European style atmosphere in the Middle Ages. The observatory offers panoramic views of the entire garden occupying about 198,000 m² of land.

“I began to feel comfortable and enjoy the life here after I have spent three years. I find myself happy these days while working. I think urban people can feel happiness as they live in harmony with the environment. I believe being environmentally-friendly, not expensive cars and cosmetics, brings healthy and well-being lifestyle, indeed.”

After finishing his remarks, he returned to the excavator with a peaceful smile.

Peaceland and View Botanic Gardens, Representative Botanic Gardens in Pocheon
When I arrived at Peaceland Botanic Garden, I was amazed at the exquisite and beautiful sites. The vest botanic garden, covering an area of 594,000 m², is filled with various theme gardens and arboreta including artificial ponds, wetland areas and promenades. In particular, the Rock Garden that boasts the largest scale in Asia has a wide range of rare alpine plants indigenous to Hallasan (Mt.), Baekdu (Mt.), Rocky Mountain areas and Alps-Himalaya regions. Currently, the festival of wild chrysanthemum flowers is in full swing. The restaurant Ellm in the botanic garden offers delicacies made with edible organic plants that provide perfect nutrient balance. President Lee Hwan-Yong also runs an herbal medicine clinic and the restaurant serves various foodstuffs using the medicinal plants recommended by Lee.

In addition, View Botanic Garden also features a wide variety of plants and trees. Famous for its cultivation of rare poppy flowers, the garden boasts its largest facility space among private botanic gardens in the country. The Green shop selling various gardening tools at the entrance leads to a fantastic tulip garden and iris garden created in the natural atmosphere. In particular, the open field filled with colorful poppy flowers provides a picturesque landscape under the blue sky. For those who think that botanic gardens are just nothing but conservatories built by vinyl materials, the entire garden areas will bring refreshing moments to correct their outdated perceptions. Pocheon is growing in harmony with the Mother Nature.

Recommended Botanic Gardens

Peaceland Botanic Garden
Peaceland Botanic Garden was established by herbal medicine Ph.D Lee Hwan-Yong at Pyunggang herbal medicine clinic in Seocho, Seoul. The garden consists of 12 themed gardens filled with about 5,000 species of plants including an indigenous plant garden, pond garden and moss garden. Visitors can enjoy the rare species of plants only seen in the Himalayas and Rocky Mountain regions. In autumn, a chrysanthemums festival is held.


Location: 668 Sanjeong-ri, Yeongbuk-myeon, Pocheon
Tel.: 031-531-7751
Website: www.peacelandkorea.com

Yoo Botanic Garden
Yoo Botanic Garden specializes in iris flowers that need careful attentions. In particular, impressive flower festivals are held on a land of 198,000 m² in May and June. The garden has a variety of facilities and amenities including a restaurant PinkBelle, a gift shop Blue Boy, and a lamp exhibition that features a variety of lamps collected from around the world. You shouldn’t miss the observatory on the top of the mountain where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Pocheon.


Location: San-38 Sajeong 2-ri, Sinbuk-myeon, Pocheon
Tel.: 031-536-9922
Website: www.yoogarden.com

View Botanic Garden
The garden covers an area of 66,000 m² filled with fantastic and colorful poppy flowers. It consists of nine theme gardens including Bulb Garden, Secret Garden, a magnificent cascade and a zoology park, together with a snow sled for kids.


Location: 441 Yudong-ri, Ildong-myeon, Pocheon
Tel.: 031-534-1136
Website: www.viewgarden.co.kr

Title	View Botanic Garden
Address	441 Yudong-ri Ildong-myeon Pocheon-si Gyeonggi-do
Inquiry (Homepage)	031-534-1136, www.viewgarden.co.kr
Location (based on nearby national highways and express high ways)	By car: Guri T/G → Gwangneung → Seopa Checkpoint → Hawhyeon Gyocharo → Ildong Military Hospital → Turn right at Yudong-ri → Pocheon View Botanic Garden By bus from East Seoul Bus Terminal, take a Wasu-ri or Sachang-ri bound bus → Get off at Ildong → Take a taxi to the garden
Facility Size	66,000㎡
History	Since 2006
Features	The garden covers an area of 66,000 m² filled with fantastic and colorful poppy flowers. It consists of nine theme gardens including Bulb Garden, Secret Garden, a magnificent cascade and a zoology park, together with a snow sled for kids.
Notice	The garden is not open during winter season between early December and early April. Please check prior to visit.
Business Hours	9 a.m. ~ 6 p.m.
Admission Fees	KRW 4,000 for adults, KRW 3,000 for Children
Nearby Attractions	Mt. Myeongseong, Sanjeong lake, Bears Town Resort, Mt, Baekun.
Accommodations	Trout Valley 031-533-0373, Hanwha Resort 031-534-5500, Morning in Heaven 031-532-3969
Recommended Restaurants	Yidong Galbichon 031-538-3782, Wonjo Yidong Jeonju Galbi 031-532-4562, Gochang Pungcheon Broiled Eels 031-531-6040
Others	There are various experience programs available, including making wooden necklaces, scented bags, scented candles, and scented soaps. Making a prior inquiry is recommended. There is a gift shop at the entrance. Various follower festivals are held in every season.

 

Title	Yoo Botanic Garden
Address	San-38 Samjeong 2-ri, Sinbuk-myeon, Pocheon, Gyeinggi-do
Inquiry (Homepage)	031-536-9922, www.yoogarden.com
Location (based on nearby national highways and express high ways)	By car: Euijeongbu → Pocheon City Hall → Hasingok Sageori → Turn left toward Dongducheon → Turn right in front of Baekgung Garden → Yoo Garden By bus: from Dongducheon station, take No.57 bus to Pocheon → Take off at Galwol 2-ri, Take a taxi to Yoo Garden
Facility Size	660,000㎡
History	Since 1988
Features	Yoo Botanic Garden specializes in iris flowers that need careful attentions, and has about 20 theme gardens including Tango Garden, Iris Garden and Recreation Forest.  In particular, impressive flower festivals are held on a land of 198,000 m² in May and June. The garden has a variety of facilities and amenities including a restaurant Pink Bell, a gift shop Blue Boy, and a lamp exhibition that features a variety of lamps collected from around the world. You shouldn’t miss the observatory on the top of the mountain where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Pocheon.
Notice	Alcoholic beverages and smoking are banned in all the facilities.
Business Hours	Summer(April to October) 9.30 a.m. ~7 p.m., Winter(November to March) 10 a.m. ~ 5 p.m.
Admission Fees	KRW 5,000 for adults, KRW 4,000 for children
Nearby Attractions	Myeongseongsan, Sanjeonghosu, Pocheon Art Valley, Bears Town Resort, Baekunsan
Accommodations	Morning in Heaven 031-532-3969, Hanwha Resort 031-534-5500
Recommended Restaurants	Restaurant PinkBelle inside the garden. Yidong Galbichon 031-538-3782, Wonjo Yidong Jeonju Galbi 031-532-4562, Gochang Pungcheon Broiled Eels 031-531-6040
Others	No additional parking fees. Discounts are available for a group of 30 and over (1,000 won for each). Local residents are free of charge.

 

Title	Peaceland Botanic Garden
Address	668 Sanjeong-ri Yeongbuk-myeon Pocheon-si Gyeonggi-do
Inquiry (Homepage)	031-531-7751, www.peacelandkorea.com
Location (based on nearby national highways and express high ways)	By car, Jayuro toward Paju → Jeongok → Uncheon→ Hanwha Resort at Sanjeong lake → Jeongsu restaurant → Peaceland garden By bus, from East Seoul Bus terminal, take a Pocheon/Uncheon bound bus → Take off at Uncheon → Take a bus to Sanjeonghosu and take off at Jeonghang-dong (Umulmok), take a taxi to the garden
Facility Size	325,314㎡

Pick many kinds of mushrooms!

Pocheon Mushroom Village

Did you think that mushrooms grow in the ground? Before seeing agarics that grow upwards in bottles, and pyogo mushrooms that spring out of logs, you might have thought so. There is a new experience that is exciting for children and adults alike. This  is the excellent experience program offered by Pocheon Mushroom Village.

It has not been so long since the season of Chuseok. The fields are already tinged with a golden color. Pocheon Mushroom Village is just 1 hour away from Seoul, but it is really a true country village. One can see the Information Network Center building when one enters the village. In May 2002, Pocheon Mushroom Village was designated as an information network village, and since 2005, an experience program has been offered here, in which the residents of the village prepare all of the things required for rural experience activities. Near the Information Network Center, there are the village hall, a vacant lot, a basketball court and a soccer field. Here, the visitors who come to participate in the experience program can taste mushroom casserole during lunchtime and have various experiences like Tteokmechigi (hitting cooked rice with a mallet) and Rice-straw Handicrafts.

First, we visited Pocheon Mushroom Development, Inc. for a mushroom factory tour. The mushroom factory had large facilities, and included 5 cultivation rooms where mushroom spores were cultivated, and 9 growing rooms where mushrooms were raised. The mushrooms produced here are the safe and fresh ones that have acquired certification as an eco-friendly and excellent farm product recognized by the provincial governor of Gyeonggi-do. The villagers say that previously, mushrooms were cultivated in several places throughout the village, but now all of the cultivation facilities are concentrated here. Through the work, the cultivation capacity of the village can be acknowledged. Here, you can observe diverse kinds of mushrooms, and enjoy mushroom picking. Agarics grow in bottles filled with sawdust and mushroom spores while Roe Deer Butt Mushrooms surprisingly grow downwards in upended bottles (the form of the white mushroom in mildly curved line looks just like the fairly plump buttocks of a roe deer!). In the vinyl plastic hothouses near the cultivation rooms, pyogo mushrooms are growing in the holes of oak logs. You can personally purchase the mushrooms, as well.

At Nolbu Pear Farm, which is situated behind the Information Network Center, you can have an experience of picking pears. Wrapped in yellow-colored small bags, these pears have become ripe enough to eat. Tasting the pears after peeling them with a knife on a lookout shed, you will learn how sweet the flavor is. Already in the pear farm, the laughter of the children picking the pears resounds. Families can actually purchase the pear trees, paying 50,000 Won per tree. The laughter is coming from the families who are picking pears from their own trees. They say that the farmer guarantees the exact quantity of the crop yield, 15 kg per tree, for example. Many consider this a good chance to try picking pears, and get good fresh pears in the harvesting season. The farmers told us that thanks to the relatively moderate price of each tree, a good number of families have already gotten their own trees.

This time, we had the opportunity to personally experience the farm, as we are reporters. However, I was informed that visitors should register for experience programs through the village’s homepage to participate. The experience of picking pears is possible only in autumn season, and thus you can take advantage of the other experience programs arranged by season at other times of the year. By visiting the village for the experience programs, you can hear explanations on the village, participate in the observation & experience package of different kinds of mushrooms, and taste the good flavor of mushroom casserole that is prepared by village residents and offered in the village hall during lunchtime. In addition, the fruit experience program for each season gives you chances to pick pears, grapes, peaches, etc. and a “Harvest Farm Products” program is offered, as well. During this program, you can have the chance to harvest potatoes, sweet potatoes, Indian corn and more in the vegetable garden that is managed by the village community for experience programs. Diverse well-planned programs such as Tteokmechigi, Rice-straw Handicrafts (including making a rice straw rope) and Making Korean Stuffed Mushrooms are waiting for you. During Tteokmechigi, you can personally hit the cooked rice with mallet, and later taste the rice cake. At the end of the programs, the community gives each family, as a kind of remembrance, a bottle in which mushrooms are growing, in order to offer them the opportunity to cultivate mushrooms at home.

Locality: Pocheon Mushroom Village
Address: 776-1 Jikdu1-ri, Gunnae-myeon, Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do
Contact: http://mushroom.invil.org
Location:
Using SR 43: Seoul, Uijeongbu - Songwoori – Towards Pocheon Police Station – Turn to the right at Hannae Intersection – Towards Gapyeong at Yongjeong Intersection – Jikdu Three Forks Junction (gas station)
Using SR 47: Guri, Toegyewon - Jinjeop - Naeri – Towards Pocheon at Seopa Checkpoint Intersection (SR 56) - Gulgogae – Jikdu Three Forks Junction
Facilities: Village Hall, Pocheon Mushroom Development, Inc., Nolbu Pear Farm, vineyard, community vegetable garden, etc.
History: In May 2002, the village has been designated as one of the information network villages. From the year 2005, the farm village experience programs have been offered.
Fee: KRW 25,000 for adults, KRW 20,000 for children
Near tourist resorts: Pocheon Confucian Temple School, Baesangmyun Brewery Co., Ltd., Unak Horse Riding Club, Western Valley Shooting Range
Lodging information: In the Mushroom Village, privately owned guesthouses are available (see the village’s homepage). Among the lodging facilities near the village, Gipwunsansok Tongnamujip (031-532-5000, www.rest4u.com), situated at Jikdu2-ri, is recommendable. It is a pension that has been made of logs and is a very cozy lodging facility.
Recommended restaurants: Tosokchon (031-535-0930) is famous for its Monaegibap, a kind of pork-wrapped rice. Seoul Nokgak Samgyetang (031-536-6418) is well-known for all of its menu containing antler, e.g.,Samgyetang and Gomtang (thick beef soup).
Other notes: The experience schedules are available on the village’s homepage (http://mushroom.invil.org).

Giddy up, giddy up! Enjoy horseback riding!

Kyonggi Equestrian Training Center

We can hear the cheerful sound of hoofbeats at the training center. A trainer rides a horse around the circular track, creating a small dust storm, and the tail of the horse swings. “Raise your arms!” At the next track, a trainer is shouting while a mother and her child practice the correct posture, raising their arms at his direction.

Some people say that with a per capita GDP of USD 20,000, golf becomes popular among the public; with a per capita GDP of USD 30,000, riding; and with a per capita GDP of USD 40,000, yachting and cruising. Although golf is still considered a sport for the wealthy, the number of golfers has grown dramatically. In this sense, it can be expected that the number of riders will increase in the near future. Watching people taking riding lessons at the Kyonggi Equestrian Training Center, I became confident that this had a future as a popular sport.

A grandfather and his grandson rode horses around the circular track. It was impressive to see the two of them one on a big horse, and one on a small horse, in perfect symmetry. The boy was not much more than a four-year old, but he looked like a grown-up on the back of a horse. The next trainees were a mother and her seven-year old daughter. They were practicing the correct posture on walking horses, under the direction of the trainer. It seemed that many people were taking riding lessons with their children as a hobby. Riding helps the learners to maintain good posture and a healthy physique when it is learned in childhood.
It has also become a popular sport for young ladies who want to stay in shape.

Horses are looking out at the barns behind the tracks. It is great to see their long faces and dashing figures. There are 15 horses at 25 barns here. Trainees studying at the Center ride the well-trained horses. Established in 2006, the Training Center is operated by Trainer Kim Eui-Jong, who is a former Representative of Gyeongsangnam-do, a Class 2 Race Trainer and a Founder of the Korea Equestrian Federation.
The Center offers diverse programs, from the Equestrian Academy for Beginners to Customized Courses for Intermediate and Advanced Levels. The contents of lessons are determined according to the level of the trainees. Most notably, the Center operates a four-week equestrian academy program, at which beginners with less than three months of equestrian experience can take eight hours of lessons. Experienced trainees can use a program that combines free riding and lessons. The Center operates coupon-based programs,
a regular membership program and an annual membership program. Most notably, the Center is equipped with a great western riding course. There are two courses, including a 3 km-long course and a 5.5 km-long course. Riding a horse along beautiful mountain trails would be a great experience.

The Training Center is also a great destination for visitors who are not interested in taking lessons.
It is worth visiting the Center simply to see the spacious track covered with green grass, and the dynamic horses running. With a gentle demeanor, the horses blink big eyes when they meet strangers.
A cute puppy plays around the barn, and a small henhouse with a few hens completes the farm-like atmosphere of the Center. It is an ideal tourist spot for family fun. Experience programs for one-time visitors include a horse riding experience under the guidance of a trainer, walking horses, feeding horses and commemorative photos with horses. There is also Seoun Dongsan, Korea’s first farm for tourists, beside the Center. As Seoun Dongsan has a lake, a great trail, a beautiful garden, a cottage, an outdoor restaurant and a gallery café, it is a recommended destination for one-day trips.

Name: Kyonggi Equestrian Training Center
Address: 156 Mamyeong-ri, Naechon-myeon, Pocheon City, Gyeonggi Province
Contact: 031-531-9999 http://ketc.kr

Location: 
From Seoul: Seoul Ring Expressway – National Road No. 47 (bound for Ildong) - Naechon/ Pocheon City Hall (No. 87) – Turn right at Naechon Samgeori – Go straight for 500m and turn right – Cross Naechon Bridge and turn left – Go straight for 1.6km  Turn left at the post of Seoun Dongsan

From Euijeongbu: Euijeongbu – National Road No. 43 (bound for Pocheon) – Turn right at Buinteo Sageori to the direction of Jinjeop and Guri – Go straight at the intersection of National Road No. 87 – Turn right immediately before Naechon Bridge - Go straight for 1.6km  Turn left at the post of Seoun Dongsan

Facility Overview: Total area of over 25,740 m² with 25 barns, Western Riding Course 1 (3 km), Western Riding Course 2 (5.5 km), circular riding track with a diameter of 30 m and night riding track
History: Established in 2006
Operating Hours: From 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Open at 8:00 AM during winter season, evening lessons available)
Admission Fees: KRW 500,000 (four-week programs with eight sessions)
Adjacent Tourist Destinations: Sanjeonghosu (Lake), Africa Art Museum and Korea National Arboretum
Accommodations: There is a beautiful cottage (031-533-9000, www.seowoon.co.kr) at Seoun Dongsan, which is located next to the Training Center.
Restaurant Options: There are outdoor restaurants at Seoun Dongsan, including Sarangbang Restaurant and GALLERY Café Wun. Visitors can also visit Ham Byeong-Heon Kimchi Noodle (031-534-0723), which is 5 km away. The restaurant serves great noodles and seafood leek pancakes.

 Africa Cultural Center Pocheon gyeonggi-do korea

 LOCATION | 41, Murim-ri, Soheul-eup, Pocheon 
 TEL | 82-2-31-543-3600
 URL | http://www.africaculturalcenter.com
 
Africa Cultural Center is Africa in Korea, created on a 33,058m² area next to Gwangneung Arboretum. 

Detail information

Service hour : 10:00 ~ 18:00 (July ~ August: until 19:00, closed          
                  on Mondays, Seolnal and Thanksgiving Day)

 

Africa Cultural Center is Africa in Korea, created on a 33,058m² area next to Gwangneung Arboretum. The president of the Africa Cultural Center personally

collected artefacts, sculptures and art pieces from all over Africa for an entire decade. The center has been a bridge in connecting Africa and Korea and

features four exhibition halls where African initiation ceremonies, rituals and art of the heads of tribes can be seen as well as a video room and stuffed animal room.
 
 
  Last modified : 2009. 07. 23

  Source : Africa Cultural Center

  Please contact website to get more information.

  Reference : 82-31-543-3600
 
 



the source-http://english.ethankyou.co.kr/information/informationList.jsp

The Gallery Sansawon (Liquor Museum) Pocheon gyeonggi-do

 LOCATION | #511, Hwahyeon-ri, Hwahyeonmyeon,Pocheon 
 TEL | 82-2-31-531-9300
 URL | http://www.soolsool.co.kr
 
With the display of traditional Korean liquor-related data and tools 

Detail information

Service hour : 09:30~17:00

        (closed on Lunar New Year and Thanksgiving Day holidays)

 

visitors can see how liquor was made in the old days through the variety of artifacts, models and picture data. In the basement, traditional Korean liquors such as Baekhaju, Jugong Baekseju and Heukmiju have been recreated. On the 1st floor, visitors can taste five traditional Korean liquors, observe how liquor is fermented through a telescope, hear the sound of the liquor through a Suldok (a jar) and enjoy Ondolmaru (a heated floor). On the 2nd floor, 250 tools including Nurukteul, Yakteul and Sojugori are displayed in the order in which they are used for the fermentation of liquor.
 
 

  Last modified : 2009. 07. 23

  Source : The Gallery Sansawon (Liquor Museum)

  Please contact website to get more information.

  Reference : 82-31-531-9300
 
 



the source-http://english.ethankyou.co.kr/information/informationList.jsp

According to the foreign resident census conducted in May 2009, the number of foreign residents in Gyeonggi Province was 324,000 , up 16 percent compared with 2008. This number accounts for 2.9 percent of the registered population. Indeed, foreign residents are becoming our true neighbors.

The number of foreign residents in Gyeonggi Province accounts for 29 percent of the total of 1.107 million foreign residents in Korea. In terms of the number of foreign residents in the area, Gyeonggi Province was second only to Seoul. At the same time, the number of foreign workers and foreigners who came to Korea through international marriages that require the assistance of administrative agencies and civic groups has reached 240,000 persons (Seoul: 200,000 persons). Gyeonggi Province is home to the greatest number of foreign residents who have truly become our neighbors.

Looking at the status of foreign residents, we can see that 205,239 (63.35%) are foreign workers; 44,760 (13.82%) have come here through an international marriage; 25,648 (7.92%) are children of foreign residents; and 48,317 (14.91%) belong to other categories.

By gender, 56% (181,636) of foreign residents are men and 44% (142,328) are women. Out of these, 68% of foreign workers are men, whereas 85% of migrants through international marriage were women.

The number of foreign residents in the Province was 39,682 persons in 1998, 214,727 persons in 2007, and 277,991 persons in 2008, showing a steady increase year on year. Over the last three years, there has been an average annual increase of 23%.

Foreign residents in Gyeonggi Province are from diverse backgrounds. Foreign residents from China, including ethnic Koreans, accounted for 57% (182,857 persons), followed by Vietnam 9% (28,550 persons), Philippines 6% (18,347 persons), and Thailand 5% (14,810 persons).

In terms of cities and counties within Gyeonggi Province, the City of Ansan was home to the highest number of foreign residents, with numbers reaching 41,785, followed by Suwon (30,139), and Hwaseong (24,914); 12 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province were home to more than 10,000 foreign residents, and in four cities and counties the foreign residents accounted for more than five percent of the registered population. The City of Pocheon ranked top in terms of the ratio of foreign residents to total population in the city, at 6.44% (10,291 foreign residents).


the source - http://english.gg.go.kr/