Geochang County (Korean: 거창군; [kʌtɕʰaŋɡun]) is a county in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. The Geochang International Festival of Theater, which was started in 1989, is renowned as the best play festival in Korea. The District Office is located in Geochang-eup, and has jurisdiction over 1 eup and 11 myeon.
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The origin of Geochang's name
Geochang County has been called Geoyeol, Geota and Arim since ancient times, in the meaning of a large bright place, a very wide field, a wide field, or a large bright one. It was first called a Geochang in the 16th year of King Gyeongdeok of Silla in 757 and was called a geochang after being divided and annexed by surrounding cities.
History
At the beginning of the Shilla Dynasty was referred to as Gayeol.
1896 Gyeongsangnam-do, Geochang-gun
1928 Gadong-myeon and Gaseo-myeon consolidated into Gajo-myeon.
1931 Eupwoe-myeon renamed to Wolcheon-myeon.
1937 Geochang-myeon elevated to Geochang-eup.
1957 Wolcheon-myeon consolidated into Geochang-eup.
Festivals
Keochang International Festival of Theatre (KIFT)
In Korea, it is called the four major theatrical festivals along with Ansan Street Arts Festival, Puppet Festival Chuncheon, and Andong Maskdance Festival.
It is an international theater festival that is held every July and August under the theme of "Nature, Humanity, and Drama".
Twin towns and districts
Geochang is twinned with:
Gokseong, South Korea (1998)
Gangdong-gu, South Korea (1999)
Gaoyou, China (2005)
Yeongdo-gu, South Korea (2006)
Suseong-gu, South Korea (2006)
Seocho-gu, South Korea (2007)
Climate
Geochang has a humid continental climate (Köppen: Dwa), but can be considered a borderline humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cwa) using the −3 °C (27 °F) isotherm.
Geography
Geochang-gun is situated at the far west side of Gyeongsangnam-do, and faces Gyeongsangbuk-do and Jeollanam-do. It does not have good transportation access.
Administrative divisions
Geochang-gun is made up of Geochang-eup and 11 myeon. With an area of 804.14 km2, it occupies 7.65% of Gyeongsangnam-do. As of August 2012, it has a population of 27,111 households, or 63,122 people, with 62.4% residing in Geochang-eup. Its highest ever population was 125,995, which was much higher than present day Changwon-si.
Notable people from Geochang County
Shin Yong-Mok (신용목), South Korean poet
Choi Ri (최리), South Korean actress
Shin Mi-hwa (신미화), South Korean bobsledder
Kim Tae-ho (김태호), South Korean politician
Shin Dalja (신달자), South Korean poet
V (Real Name: Kim Tae-hyung, 김태형), singer-songwriter, member of K-pop boygroup BTS (Originally from Seo-gu, Daegu, South Korea)