1) Paju-si
History of Paju-si
Paju, an important traffic spot, is located in the northwest of Gyeonggi-do. it is the place where the culture of Han River and the northwest territory meet. A low hills located in Imjin riverside surrounding Paju gave stable living environment to people of the prehistoric age. As a result, the remains and relics of the Old Stone Age were found. Also, a severe attack and defense had happened as the place was a key spot in the period of the Three States. Paju had played a role as an important place in terms of traffic and military in the ancient Korean State and the Choseon Dynasty Era. Even in modern period, it was a military base, so that a bloody battle was occurred like Jeokseong Battle during Korean War. Paju-si included many territories, such as Papyeong, Gyoha, Jeokseong, Jangdan, etc.. Therefore, Paju is much larger at present than that of the Choseon Dynasty Era.
Prehistoric age
A great number of the remains of the Prehistoric Age were found at the reaches of the Hantan River, which runs across Yeonchon-gun, Pocheon-gun, and Iimjingak penetrating Paju. Especially many of them were the remains of the Old Stone Age. What the relics were found intensively in a certain place was quite phenomenal. Also, the remains of the New Stone Age were excavated in many areas, which are residential area, earthenware
with light-ray pattern, and Majeseokchok. Parts of earthenware with light-ray pattern were found in several places. We can notice that people cultivated the soil from the early times by finding farming tools, such as semicircle stone knife, stone sickle, sharpening stone, and stone axe.
The residence and Goindol in Deogeun-ri
Tombs (dolmen), typical north style of the Bronze Age were excavated at Deogeun-ri, Wollong-myeon where is close to the confluence of Han River and Iimjin River. What is unique is that the residential area was located under the dolmen. The military remains, such as Chiljungseong, Horogoruseong, Amiseong including Yugyetoseong built around an era, were found and clarified as the ruins of the age of Original Three States and Jeokseokchong are scattered along Han River and Iimjin River.
The Age of the Three Kingdoms & Unified Shilla
Paju under the control of Baekje became a part of Goguryeo since Goguryeo captured Gwanmiseong (the top of Odusan) and Hanseong. As a result, the capital of Baekje was transferred to the south, Ungjin (Gongju-si now)
Mt. Odu Fortress Wall
The Goryeo Dynasty Period
Since Goryeo unified three nations in 936, a new administrative unit, such as Ju, Bu, Gun, Hyeon were organized in 940. Paju belonged to Gwangju and its attached place, Jungseong-hyeon was changed its name into Jeokseong-hyeon.
Paju belonged to Yanggwang-do after the number of jurisdiction(Do) was changed from 5 to 10 in the early years of King Hyeonjong. After that, it became a part of Gyeonggi by reforming in the 9th rule year of King Hyeonjong.
The whole area of Beokheung-ri, the mouth of Imjin River was a main throughfare by merchants. The grave with a wall painting of the Goryo Dynasty Period was excavated in Seogok-ri, Jindong-myeon.
The Choseon Dynasty Period
Gyeonggi-do was divided into two in the 3rd year of Taejo by Dopyeonguisasa. Gyeonggijwa-do of them included the districts, such as Jangdan, Papyeong, Imgang, Gyoha. Since then, an administrative section of the whole country was divided into 8 districts, which was called “Do” in 1413.
Seowon-hyeon was raised to in status of Weowon-gun in 1393 and it was merged with Papyeong-hyeon and renamed by Wonpyeong-gun in 1398. Wonpyeong-gun was raised in status of Dohobu that had more than 1,000 residence. After that, Wonpyeong-dohobu was raised to Mok and the name was called by Paju as the place is Queen Jeonghee‘s home, who is the wife of King Sejo.
Gongneung, Sunnueng, Youngneung located in Bongilcheon-ri, Jori-eup
There are many graves of the royal and noble family for example, Gongneung, Sunnueng, Youngneung, Hwanghee, Eei as Paju is not far from Hanyang, the capital at that time.
Early Mordern Period
As jurisdiction system had been reformed in the Kap-O Reform of1894, the system of 336 Ggun and 23 Bu was adopted instead of 8 Do and Paju-mok became Paju-gun of Hanseong-bu. Both Jeokseong-hyeon and Jangdan-hyeon were raised to Jeolseong-gun and Jangdan-gun. In the next year, the system of 23 Bu was repealed and the system of 13 Do was put in force. Therefore, Paju has belonged to Gyeonggi-do.
Junae-myeon was raised Junae-eup in compliance with Clause 10050 of a Presidential Decree enacted in1980. After that, Junae-eup was renamed as Paju-eup in compliance with Clause 10027 of a Presidential Decree enacted in 1983. Finally Paju-gun was raised to Paju-si since 1996 according to No.4994 of the Law and it has had jurisdiction over 2 Dong, 9 Myeon, and 5 Eup.
