The correct spelling of the city in South Korea is Gwangju, not Kwangju. The first sound is pronounced as a voiced velar nasal, written as /ɡ/ in IPA. The second sound is pronounced as a bilabial nasal, written as /w/. The third sound is pronounced as a low central vowel, written as /a/. The fourth sound is pronounced as an alveolar lateral approximant, written as /l/. The final sound is pronounced as a palato-alveolar fricative, written as /ʒ/. Therefore, the correct spelling of the city is Gwangju not Kwangju.
Kwangju is a noun that refers to a city in South Korea, officially known as Gwangju. It is the sixth-largest city in the country and functions as a cultural and political center in the southwestern region of South Korea. The word Kwangju can be also used interchangeably with its official spelling, Gwangju.
As a dictionary definition, Kwangju refers to a city characterized by its rich history, vibrant arts, and progressive political activism. The city has a population of approximately 1.5 million people and is renowned for its commitment to democracy, as it played a significant role in the democratic movement in South Korea during the 20th century.
Kwangju is also home to various cultural landmarks and institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries, which showcase both traditional Korean and modern contemporary arts. Additionally, the city is known for hosting the annual Gwangju Biennale, an international contemporary art exhibition that attracts artists and visitors from all around the world.
Furthermore, Kwangju is recognized for its significance in Korean history, particularly through the Gwangju Uprising that occurred in May 1980. The uprising was a pro-democracy movement that sought to challenge the authoritarian government of the time and it resulted in a tragic clash between citizens and the military, leaving a profound impact on the city's identity and its pursuit of democratic values. Today, Kwangju stands as a symbol of resilience, democratic ideals, and cultural innovation within South Korea.
The word "Kwangju" is primarily the Romanization of the Korean name "광주" (pronounced [kwaŋ.dʑu]).
The term "광주" itself is derived from Chinese characters. In Chinese, the term is "光州" (pronounced "Guāngzhōu" in Mandarin). "光" (Guāng) means "light" or "shine", while "州" (zhōu) refers to a "province" or "region".
This Chinese name was adopted in the Korean language, where "광주" refers to a city located in the southwestern part of South Korea.