Chonju, also Jeonju, city in southwestern South Korea, capital of North Cholla Province. An important trade and manufacturing center, Chonju is linked by rail with the port of Kunsan. Silk, paper, cigarettes, sake, silver and bamboo products, and cottonseed oil are produced here. The city is the site of Chonpuk National University (1952), Chonju College of Education, Chonju Yongsaeng College, and the tomb of the founder of the Yi dynasty (1392-1910). The city was known as Zenshu under the Japanese (1910-1945). Population (1995) 563,406.
