3 Layers of History: Japanese Fortress, US Army Base, & ROK Supply Depot 20251231 1110hrs

20251231 1110hrs 3 Layers of History: Japanese Fortress, US Army Base, & ROK Supply Depot (Daeyeon Public Support Private Rental Housing Supply Promotion District)

역사의 세 가지 층: 일본군 요새, 미군 기지, 그리고 한국군 보급단 (남구 대연 공공지원민간임대주택 공급촉진지구)

三層歷史：日軍要塞、美軍基地與韓國軍補給團 (南區大淵 公共支援民間租賃住宅 供給促進地區)

3つの歴史の層：日本軍要塞、米軍基地、そして韓国軍補給廠 (南区大淵（テヨン）公共支援民間賃貸住宅 供給促進地区)

Investigation Report: The True Identity and History of the Former Military Site in Nam-gu, Busan
1. Location Identification

Location: Border area of Daeyeon-dong and Yongdang-dong, Nam-gu, Busan Metropolitan City.

Map Position: At the foot of Mt. Honggoksan (Honggok Mountain), south of the UN Memorial Cemetery.

Specific Identification: Based on maps and photographs, this area is the "Daeyeon Public Support Private Rental Housing Supply Promotion District." It was a military restricted zone for a long time, but eviction orders have now been issued (as seen on the signboard dated until November 28, 2025) to pave the way for development.

Current Name: Site of the former ROK Army 2nd Supply Group (2nd Supply Depot).

Current Status: Following the relocation of the military unit, the land is currently vacant. As indicated by the signage, the site is in the process of tenant eviction and land leveling for private development (or conversion into a park).

2. Historical Background (The Three Eras)

For nearly 100 years, this land has served as a "Heart of Logistics and Supply."

① Imperial Japanese Army Era (~1945)

Role: Military Drill Ground and Supply Depot.

It was used as a quarantine station for military horses, a drill ground for the Japanese army, and a supply facility.

Explanation: At the time, this area was a crucial rear support base for defending Busan Port. The vast, flat land was developed as a "drill ground" for training soldiers and as a temporary storage area for supplies unloaded from the port.

Artillery Position: The artillery position on Mt. Honggoksan that you discovered adjacent to this site was part of the fortress line constructed by the Imperial Japanese Army to defend this specific supply base and Busan Port.

② US Military & UN Forces Era (1950s ~ 1970s)

Role: Busan Port Logistics Base / Open Storage Area.

Explanation: During the Korean War, Busan was the only remaining supply hub. This vast land operated at full capacity as "Open-Space Storage," managing ammunition, food, and vehicles arriving from around the world by lining them up in the open fields.

This area worked in coordination with the nearby "55 Supply Depot" (still existing in Beomil-dong) and "Pier 8" to accumulate and manage supplies.

Reason it looks like a "Runway": To accommodate heavy tanks and trucks, and to store tens of thousands of tons of supplies, the ground was thoroughly compacted or paved with concrete. This "perfectly flat, vast paved road" is the primary reason for the local theory that "this used to be a runway."

③ ROK (South Korean) Army Era (1970s ~ Recent)

Role: Army 2nd Supply Group (under the Logistics Command).

Explanation: Even after being taken over from the US Military, it functioned as a major logistics center for the South Korean military. Because it remained an active military facility until recently, civilian access was strictly prohibited. As a result, untouched nature and old ruins (foundations from the Japanese and US military eras) remained preserved.

3. Answers to the Mysteries of the Site

Q. Was that vast land really a runway for the Imperial Japanese Army?

A. It was not a "regular airfield," but it had the characteristics of a "Drill Ground acting as a substitute runway." It is distinct from recorded main airfields (such as Suyeong Airfield). However, because it was leveled to be extremely wide and flat for use as a "drill ground" during the Japanese military era, it is certain that it could be used for emergency glider take-off/landing training or as a makeshift airstrip. The reason locals pass down the story that "that place was a runway" is likely because its sheer size and shape looked exactly like one.