Ulsan (울산광역시, 蔚山廣域市) is a city in the south east of South Korea. It lies on the East Sea (Sea of Japan) and is located 70 kilometres north of Busan.
The city is the heart of the country's industrial area called Ulsan Industrial District and is home to the multinational Hyundai corporation. Up to 1962 Ulsan was a fishing port and market centre. As part of South Korea's first five-year economic plan, Ulsan became an open port. Additionally, major industrial plants and factories have been built. This included in particuar an oil refinery, fertilizer plants, automobile production and heavy industries. The port Pangojin where shipbuilding is carried out became part of the city in 1962.
Population: 1,048,838 (2001, estimate)
Sister cities:
- Hagi, Japan (since 1968)
- Hualien, Taiwan (since 1981)
- Portland, USA (since 1987)
- Changchun, China (since 1994)
- Ulju-gun (울주군; 蔚州郡)
- Buk-gu (북구; 北區)
- Dong-gu (동구; 東區)
- Jung-gu (중구; 中區)
- Nam-gu (남구; 南區)
