Gimpo


Gimpo is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It borders Incheon, with which it shares the South Korean side of the Han River estuary, as well as Seoul and the lesser cities of Paju and Goyang. North Korea is across the Han River. The current mayor is Jeong Hayoung. The city's population of more than 300,000 is made up of more than 71,000 households.
Gimpo Airport used to be located inside the city, but is now part of Seoul. Tertiary educational institutions located in the city include Kimpo College and Joong-ang Seungga University. There are 27 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, and 8 high schools, including Gimpo Foreign Language High School. Three elementary schools, two middle, and two high schools are located in the area of Tongjin.

Modern history

In 1914, Yangcheon county and Gimpo county were merged. Yangcheon county was separated into 2 towns. In 1958, Yeouido international airport was relocated to Gimpo. In 1963, Yangdong and Yangseo towns were incorporated into Yeongdeungpo-gu; it includes Gimpo airport. In 1973, Gyeyang and Ojeong towns of Bucheon were transferred to Gimpo. In 1989, parts of Gyeyang town were ceded to Incheon, giving Incheon a border with southwestern Seoul. And 1995, Geomdan region was ceded to Incheon.
In 1998, Gimpo was promotioned to city. Since the Hangang New Town was announced in 2003, the population of the city has soared. Gimpo Light Rail was opened in 2019 for the sake of population growth and the convenience of transportation in the new Han River city. This line connects Yangchon Station and Gimpo Airport Station, which is a two-car light rail line. In response, some citizens are demanding more cars or extension of Seoul Subway Line No. 5 in preparation for the soaring demand for transportation in the future.
The airport at Kimpo was known as "K-14" Air Force Base during the Korean War. Sabre jets were based and operated from K-14 to "Mig Alley" located in the north western area of North Korea, and where air combat would take place with enemy Mig aircraft. A large number of U.S. Air Force bases were located thru out South Korea during the Korean War, and each of them had a "K" number, again with Kimpo being K-14, and with the "K" meaning Korea.

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Tourist spot