Sunae-2 dong (수내2동, 藪內二洞) is one of the 19 dongs of Bundang-gu, in the city of Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. It, along with Sunae-1 dong and Sunae-3 dong, form the area known as Sunae-dong. This mainly residential neighborhood is the location of Parktown Apartments (파크타운). It has an area of 0.81㎢ and a population of 12,280 2004. Central Park, the largest and one of the most well-known symbols of Bundang, calls this neighborhood home. Along the boundary of the dong is Bundang-dong to the east, Sunae-3 dong and Jeongja-2 dong to the south, Sunae-1 dong to the west, and Seohyeon-dong to the north. A 2.2km length of Bundang Stream flows through the dong from the east, making its way through the park, and exiting into Sunae-1 dong.
[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). 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. On June 5th, 1993, 51~71 beonji (번지) from the dong was subdivided, creating Naejung-dong (내정동, 內亭洞)). Its name was constructed by taking one chinese character from both Sunae (내, 內) and Jeongja (정, 亭). However, it would only be called this until the dong the dong was renamed Sunae-2 dong on January 1st, 2001 in accordance with Seongnam City Ordinance 1733.
[edit] Administration
The Sunae-2 dong office provides local government services within the dong. It also offers a number of programs to residents including: English, Chinese, Japanese, calligrahy, table tennis, Hanja for children, sports dancing, yoga, Korean traditional dance and folk music, gayageum (a 12 stringed traditional Korean harp), aerobics (Middle school and under) quilting, paper folding and storytelling for children (6-7 yrs). The courses are generally given at little or no cost. Inside the office there is also a hall, Internet room, lounge, reading room, fitness center, and other facilities. The office is locted in the middle of Parktown Apartments (파크타운). The telephone number is 031) 710-2722~29.
[edit] Education
Sunae-2 dong has two public schools. Naejung Elementary School is known for its orchestra and has 1,317 students and 42 teachers. The current principal is Choi Jung-gi (최정기), and the school's telephone number is 031) 711-1907. Naejung Middle School has 1,497 students and 60 staff members. The current principal is Im Ho-hei (임호희) and the telephone number is 031) 711-2026.
Central Park (중앙공원,中央公園) is the largest park in Bundang district, and is also reputed to be one of the nicest in South Korea. It has been the location of films, television programs and commercials, making it a very recognizable symbol of Bundang. This 42 hectare park is centered around the 88 meter high forested mountain, Youngjangsan (영장산) and a large pond with a fountain. It was opened on July 31st, 1994. In Central Park, one can find several large and small traditional Korean pavillions nearby the lake, where visitors can while away the hours chatting or playing cards. Throughout the park, there are facilities for rollerblading, cycling, badminton, croquet, weight lifting, as well as a large number of walking paths. In addition, there is an outdoor theater, where performances are held during the warm months. Public parking is available. For information call 031-711-8278.
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