History

Ulsan, not even a smudge in world history prior to 1972, has seen remarkable change and development in the decades following.

The history of the city prior to this date is very unremarkable and decidedly average. Though its industrial and ship building roots go back many hundreds of years there was nothing particularly special about it – no technological, societal or cultural firsts.

It found itself in a strategic location between the Korean peninsular and Japan with good natural harbours. Things were made here and sent elsewhere. They still are.

Ulsan's history has also long been associated with whales. Whaling goes back thousands of years and at nearby Bangudae there are petroglyphs that suggest hunting as long ago as 8,000 years.

Hunting did not begin in large numbers until the early 1900s when Russian fishermen arrived in the area. Under Japanese occupation it continued.

After the end of World War Two, whales became a valuable source of food in a time of scarcity and hunger. Hunting continued until the International Whaling Commission introduced measures to stop it in 1986.

Other events include Ulsan being the location of a major battle between warrior monks attempting to relive beleaguered citizen armies in the area fighting Japanese invasions (1592).

Records dating from 1642 show the first seeds from which the city’s history became intertwined with shipbuilding. The Joseon dynasty ordered the first shipping complex to be built.

During World War Two the area was a major industrial site for the Japanese thats infrastructure survived the war relatively intact. The following Korean War saw it avoid destruction too thanks to its position inside the Busan perimeter during the darkest days of the conflict.

Searching locations for its modernization drive following the conclusion of fighting Ulsan was selected as one of the four possible sites for industrial development of the country by the Korean government.

The current president of the time came from the Ulsan area, as did many other high-ranking bureaucrats.

Thus with the help of several billion dollars worth of tax incentives and large low interest loans the location suddenly became very favourable for business start-up.

And so came Hyundai.

In 1972 it built the largest shipyard in the world followed closely by the largest automobile production facility.

 From 1968 to 1980 there was a 551% growth in the city’s population.

And so today much of what we see in Ulsan has been built by the Hyundai Heavy Industries by receive government contracts or selling the equipment needed for such projects.

Other companies came (petro-chemical services) turning the city into the industrial capital of the country. In the future this is what its history will be remembered for.