# Ulsan

> metropolitan city in South Korea

**Wikidata**: [Q41278](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q41278)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulsan)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ulsan

## Summary

Ulsan is a metropolitan city and major port located in the southeast of South Korea, within the Busan–Gyeongnam Area. Covering an area of 1,060.19 square kilometers, it had a resident population of 1,127,553 as of January 1, 2024. Administratively distinct, the city is divided into four districts (Jung, Nam, Dong, Buk) and one county (Ulju), and serves as a significant industrial gateway bordering the Sea of Japan.

## Key Facts

*   **Official Name:** Ulsan Metropolitan City (울산광역시); formerly Ulsan City (울산시) from 1962 to 1997.
*   **Classification:** Metropolitan city of South Korea, port city, and large human settlement.
*   **Area:** 1,060.19 square kilometres.
*   **Population:**
    *   2024 (Jan 1): 1,127,553 (Resident register)
    *   2018 (Census): 1,150,116
    *   2016: 1,166,033
    *   2015: 1,166,615
*   **Location:** Southeastern South Korea; coordinates 35.55°N, 129.31°E.
*   **Borders:** Shares borders with North Gyeongsang, South Gyeongsang, and Busan; located next to the Sea of Japan.
*   **ISO Code:** KR-31.
*   **UN/LOCODE:** KRUSN.
*   **Administrative Divisions:** Contains Jung District, Nam District, Dong District, Buk District, and Ulju County.
*   **Government:** Executive body is the Ulsan Metropolitan Government; legislative body is the Ulsan Metropolitan Council.
*   **Symbols:**
    *   Tree: *Ginkgo biloba*
    *   Flower: *Pyrus pyrifolia var. culta*
    *   Bird: Egret
*   **Website:** https://www.ulsan.go.kr/ (Available in Korean, English, Japanese, and Putonghua).

## FAQs

**What is the administrative structure of Ulsan?**
Ulsan is designated as a metropolitan city of South Korea, a status it has held since July 15, 1997. Prior to this, it was classified as a city (Ulsan-si) starting June 1, 1962. The city is composed of four districts—Jung, Nam, Dong, and Buk—and one county, Ulju.

**Where is Ulsan located geographically?**
Ulsan is situated in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula in the Busan–Gyeongnam Area. It shares borders with North Gyeongsang and South Gyeongsang provinces, as well as the city of Busan. It lies along the coast of the Sea of Japan.

**What are the official symbols of Ulsan?**
The city has designated three official symbols: the *Ginkgo biloba* as its official tree, the *Pyrus pyrifolia var. culta* (Asian pear) as its official flower, and the egret as its official bird.

**Who are Ulsan's sister cities?**
Ulsan maintains twin relationships with several cities globally, including Hagi (Japan), Hualien City (Taiwan), Portland (USA), Changchun (China), Tomsk (Russia), Kumamoto (Japan), Chennai (India), Montevideo (Uruguay), and Burgas (Bulgaria).

## Why It Matters

Ulsan holds significant administrative and economic status as one of South Korea's key metropolitan cities. Its designation as a "Metropolitan City" places it directly under the control of the central government, separate from surrounding provinces, highlighting its importance in the nation's urban hierarchy. As a port city on the Sea of Japan, it serves as a critical node for maritime logistics and trade. The city's sustained population of over 1.1 million residents and its distinct administrative history—transitioning from a city to a metropolitan entity in 1997—underscore its long-standing role as a major urban center in the region.

## Notable For

*   **Metropolitan Status:** One of the specific "metropolitan cities of South Korea," a top-tier administrative division.
*   **Port City:** A significant coastal settlement bordering the Sea of Japan.
*   **Global Connections:** Maintains sister-city relations with diverse international partners including Portland, Chennai, and Montevideo.
*   **Linguistic Accessibility:** Maintains an official web portal supporting four languages (Korean, English, Japanese, Putonghua).
*   **Historical Flags:** Possesses a documented history of civic heraldry with distinct flags used in 1980–1994, 1994–1997, and the current flag adopted in 1997.

## Body

### Geography and Demographics
Ulsan encompasses a total area of 1,060.19 square kilometres. It is geographically positioned at latitude 35.55 and longitude 129.31666666667. The city is strategically located in the Busan–Gyeongnam Area and is adjacent to the Sea of Japan. It shares terrestrial borders with North Gyeongsang, South Gyeongsang, and the metropolitan area of Busan.

Demographic records indicate a relatively stable population over the last decade. Census data from 2018 recorded 1,150,116 residents. Administrative records show a population of 1,166,033 in 2016 and 1,166,615 in 2015. As of January 1, 2024, the resident register count stood at 1,127,553.

### Government and Administration
The city's governance is structured around the Ulsan Metropolitan Government (executive) and the Ulsan Metropolitan Council (legislative). The office of the head of government is the Mayor of Ulsan.

Ulsan's official name has evolved over time. It was officially designated "Ulsan-si" (Ulsan City) on June 1, 1962. This changed on July 15, 1997, when it was elevated to "Ulsan Gwang-yeoksi" (Ulsan Metropolitan City). The native label is 울산 광역시.

The city is subdivided into five administrative components:
*   **Jung District**
*   **Nam District**
*   **Dong District**
*   **Buk District**
*   **Ulju County**

### International Relations
Ulsan is twinned with nine administrative bodies worldwide. These relationships include:
*   **Changchun** (China): Twinning started March 15, 1994.
*   **Chennai** (India): Twinning started in 2016.
*   **Burgas** (Bulgaria): Twinning started in 2017.
*   **Hagi** (Japan)
*   **Hualien City** (Taiwan)
*   **Portland** (USA)
*   **Tomsk** (Russia)
*   **Kumamoto** (Japan)
*   **Montevideo** (Uruguay)

### Symbols and Heraldry
The city utilizes specific natural symbols to represent its identity:
*   **Tree:** *Ginkgo biloba*
*   **Flower:** *Pyrus pyrifolia var. culta*
*   **Bird:** Egret

The city flag has undergone several revisions. The current flag was adopted on July 15, 1997. Previous versions include a flag used briefly from 1995 to 1997, and an earlier version used from 1980 to 1994.

### Digital and Academic Identifiers
Ulsan is cataloged under various international systems. Its ISO 3166-2 code is KR-31. It holds the UN/LOCODE KRUSN and the HASC code KR.UL. Within academic and library systems, it is indexed with IDs such as the GND ID 7674541-7, Library of Congress Authority ID n2001147266, and VIAF IDs 236605733 and 136233316. It is also recognized by Encyclopedia Britannica (place/Ulsan) and various other international encyclopedia databases including Treccani, Larousse, and the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](http://en.changchun.gov.cn/yhcs3/ws/ycgk2/)
3. [Source](https://www.burgas.bg/bg/pobratimeni-gradove-1)
4. MusicBrainz
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Czech National Authority Database
7. FIPS 10-4 Change Notice 7
8. Ministry of Data and Statistics
9. [Source](https://kosis.kr/eng/statisticsList/statisticsListIndex.do?menuId=M_01_01&vwcd=MT_ETITLE&parmTabId=M_01_01&statId=1962001&themaId=#SelectStatsBoxDiv)
10. [Source](https://www.ulsan.go.kr/u/rep/contents.ulsan?mId=001005002002001000)
11. [Source](https://www.ulsan.go.kr/u/rep/contents.ulsan?mId=001005003001000000)
12. GeoNames
13. Virtual International Authority File
14. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
15. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
16. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File