Paju

Paju (Korean: 파주; Korean pronunciation: [pʰɐ.d͡ʑu]) is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Paju was made a city in 1997; it had previously been a county (gun). The city area of Paju is 672.78 km2 (259.76 sq mi), and it is located just south of Panmunjeom on the 38th parallel. In 2024, the population of Paju was over 501,000. To defend the South Korean capital, Seoul, many U.S. and South Korean Army bases are set up in the area. In 2002, the northernmost South Korean railway station, Dorasan, was opened on the Gyeongui Line. North Korean territory and the city Kaesong can be seen from Paju's mountain Dorasan. Paju has seen steady residential growth due to its proximity to Seoul. The city is connected to Seoul via the Gyeongui–Jungang Line and several express bus routes, with travel times to central Seoul typically under an hour. These transportation links have contributed to Paju’s development as a commuter city. In addition to residential areas, Paju is home to cultural and tourism sites such as Heyri Art Valley, Paju Book City, and Imjingak Peace Park, attracting both residents and visitors. The city also hosts several large-scale retail complexes, including Shinsegae Paju Premium Outlets and Lotte Premium Outlet Paju Branch, which attract significant foot traffic from nearby regions.