Sunae-1 dong (수내1동, 藪內一洞) is one of the 19 dongs of Bundang-gu, in the city of Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. This mainly middle to upper income neighborhood, along with Sunae-2 dong and Sunae-3 dong, form the area called Sunae-dong. The area of the dong is 1.03㎢ and has a population of 19,441 (2005). Sunae rests along a 3.4 kilometer stretch of the Tancheon, and is the location of where it meets with Bundang Stream. Along the boundary of the dong are Pangyo-dong and Seohyeon-dong to the north, Jeongja-1 dong to the west, Sunae-2 dong to the east. Along the northwest Sunae-2 dong is adjacent Central Park.
[edit] History
Sunae-dong was known as Nakgye (낙계, 落溪) during the reign of King Gongmin, who was the 31st king of the Goryeo Dynasty. It first came to be called Sunae-chon (수내촌) during the Joseon Dynasty and formed part of Dolma-myeon, in the county of Gwangju. It is reported that this occured because the government official Lee Byeong-tae (이병태, 李秉泰), who lived from 1688 to 1733, was known to have been cultivating a forest of trees along the outskirts of the village. Because of this, he took to calling the village Supan (숲안), a pure Korean word which means [Village] In the forest. He then used the characters 藪內 to write it, which are read Sunae, and over the following years residents took to using that name. This story may be problematic, though, since the characters chosen to write the name of the village are Su (수, 藪), which means swamp, and Nae (내, 內), meaning in. It has been thought that since the area was thick with swamps and trees, the name could have been meant to represent, [Village] In the swamp. Unfortunately, since it is impossible to verify the accuracy of either theory, the true origin of the dong's name may never be known.
In 1914, during the Japanese colonial period, the name Sunae-chon was abandoned by authorities in favor of Sunae-ri (수내리, 藪內里). It would retain this status until it came under the administration of the city of Seongnam on September 13th, 1971. On the 1st of July, 1973 it was renamed Sunae-dong, and then in a 1989 reorganization of the area, it was placed within the authority of Jungwon-gu. From then, as the development of Bundang progressed, Sunae dong became part of Bundang-gu on September 17th, 1991. Authorities later subdvided the dong, with 1~50 beonji (번지) going to Sunae-1 dong on the 1st of May, 1992, and 51~71 beonji (번지) going to Sunae-2 dong on June 5th, 1993., in accordance with Seongnam City Ordinance 1192. After this period, since the area was abundant with forests and trees, the neighborhood was called Chorim-dong (초림동, 草林洞, grass.forest). This name would only be used until the dong was renamed Sunae-1 dong on January 1st, 2001 after Seongnam City passed Ordinance 1733.
[edit] Administration
The Bundang district office is the seat of local government and administers a variety of services for residents of the Bundang area. It is situated on the east side of the dong where Bundang Stream and the Tancheon meet. Samsung Plaza and Central Park are also nearby. The telephone number for the district office is 031) 710-2114.
The Sunae-1 dong office provides local government services to residents within the dong. It also offers a number programs in computers, singing, aerobics, and sports dancing for citizens at little or no cost. There is also a free computer room and a large meeting hall, which can be used by interested organization. It is located two blocks away from Lotte Department Store, across from Chorim Elementary School. The telephone number is 031) 710-2712~19.
[edit] Transportation
At the very center of Sunae-dong, is Sunae Station, which sits under the Lotte Department store. This subway station is on the Bundang line of the Seoul subway, between Jeongja Station and Seohyeon Station. Just outside the store, in the large commericial district surrounding the station, are some of the highest quality restaurants that Bundang has to offer. There are also a large number of officetels and other corporations in this area.
[edit] Education
Sunae-1 dong has two public schools. Chorim Elementary School has 55 teachers and 1,568 students. The current principal is Park Sang-yul (방상열) (2006). Bundang High School, with a total of 1,450 students has 78 teachers (2006). Lee Seung-teak (이승택) is the principal.
[edit] Shopping
Lotte Department Store is the most exlusive shopping center in Bundang, after Samsung Plaza. It carries a wide variety of high-quality upscale clothing that reflects all the latest designs. It can, however, be a pricey place to shop. Under the store, is the location of a supermarket, which can easily provide for all your grocery needs. Restaurants are located on the 5th floor of the store, adjacent home electronics. The store is above Sunae Station and open from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm (8:30 pm on Fridays and weekends). The telephone number is 031) 738-2500.
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