Why Did the Term 'Ulchong' Emerge? ... Ulsan Industry 60-Year Special Exhibition Opens

Ulsan Museum Commemorates 60th Anniversary of Ulsan Industrial Center Designation, Showcasing the Development History of the 'Industrial Capital'

January 27 to June 26, Divided into Three Parts with Curator Talks and Related Events

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Ulsan Museum is holding a special exhibition titled "60 Years of Ulsan Industry Leading the Republic of Korea" to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the designation of Ulsan Industrial Center this year.

The exhibition opens on January 27, the date matching the official designation of Ulsan as an industrial center on January 27, 1962, and runs until June 26 in the Museum's first-floor Special Exhibition Hall I.

This first special exhibition of the year at Ulsan Museum reexamines Ulsan's role as the industrial capital of South Korea since its designation as an industrial center in 1962. It was planned to recall the forgotten past of Ulsan and create an opportunity for Ulsan's re-advancement.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Ulsan Industrial Center designation and Ulsan's city status elevation, as well as the 25th anniversary of its promotion to a metropolitan city.

The exhibition is divided into three parts, showcasing 60 years of Ulsan's industrial and urban development and the stories of the people of Ulsan who were the protagonists.

▲Part 1: "The First Step Toward South Korea's Economic Growth" ▲Part 2: "Igniting the Flame of Prosperity" ▲Part 3: "Connecting People to People."

A prologue, epilogue, and media art space are also separately prepared.

Part 1 explores the background of the establishment of Ulsan Industrial Center under the First Five-Year Economic Development Plan (1962?1966), Ulsan's advantages as an industrial complex, aspirations to become a "cultural industrial city," and how Ulsan took its first steps as an industrial capital.

It introduces documents such as the official notice of Ulsan Industrial Center designation, the monument of the Industrial Center Declaration, the original declaration document, the monument of the Industrial Center Groundbreaking Ceremony speech, the role of Ahn Kyung-mo, and activities of the Ulsan Special Construction Bureau, which handled over 80 construction projects.

Part 2 introduces the changes and development that took place in Ulsan in earnest.

It shows how the government secured factory sites for industrial complex development in Ulsan and invested intensively in urban development. The content focuses on the rapidly changing city, called "Geuphal-si" (meaning "urgent city"), the vanished villages, resident relocations, and pollution.

The moment of Ulsan's promotion to a metropolitan city in July 1997, 35 years after the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ulsan Industrial Center, is also included. This year, marking the 25th anniversary of metropolitan city status, aims to reconsider its significance.

Part 3 introduces various stories created by Ulsan citizens.

The protagonists of Ulsan's 60 years of industry are organically connected, and this connection is the central theme of the exhibition, showing how it has strengthened Ulsan.

It introduces keywords that show Ulsan's characteristics, such as how newcomers to Ulsan built their livelihoods, the lives of workers as the main actors of industry, labor unions and labor movements, company housing culture, the Jaewool hometown association, "Ulchong (Ulsan bachelors)," and the Ulsan Industrial Festival.

The exhibition displays over 200 materials, videos, and panels related to Ulsan's industry and people's stories.

It also features a 24-hour time-lapse and media art production of the Industrial Tower Rotary, symbolizing Ulsan's industrialization.

In the lobby, two "Pony" cars, Korea's first indigenous model developed by Hyundai Motor Company in 1975, are exhibited.

On February 10 at 2 p.m., the 13th Curator Talk titled "Designation of Ulsan Industrial Center and the People of Ulsan" will be held.

At this event, curator Lee Hana will introduce the main exhibition content and various stories in the "60 Years of Ulsan Industry Leading the Republic of Korea" special exhibition hall.

The number of participants is limited to 15 adults, and there is no participation fee. The application period is from 10 a.m. on January 28 to 5 p.m. on February 7. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through the Ulsan Public Facility Reservation Service online.