Ulsan

Ulsan is a metropolitan city in the southeast of South Korea, located on the coast facing the East Sea (Sea of Japan). It is widely regarded as the country’s industrial powerhouse, hosting large-scale shipbuilding, automotive, and petrochemical facilities. The city’s principal facilities include the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard, one of the largest in the world, Hyundai Motor’s Ulsan plant, and a major refinery operated by SK Energy. The Port of Ulsan handles substantial container and bulk traffic and supports the city’s export-oriented economy. The metropolitan area has a population around one million.

Historically part of Gyeongsangnam-do, Ulsan became a metropolitan city in 1997, separating from the province. It is governed as a local government with a mayor and city council.

Ulsan hosts several higher education institutions, including UNIST (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology) and the University of Ulsan, contributing to research and engineering talent and supporting the regional industrial base.

Notable attractions include Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Village, which features a whale museum and related cultural programs, and Ulsan Grand Park, one of Korea’s largest urban parks. The city also preserves maritime heritage and offers coastal scenery along its harbor areas.

The climate is temperate and maritime, with hot, humid summers and cool to cold winters, and relatively heavy rainfall during the summer monsoon season.

Ulsan is served by Ulsan Airport for domestic flights and is connected by road and rail to Busan and other cities. The Port of Ulsan provides significant freight capacity for the city’s industrial sectors.