Songtan - Osan Air Base

Osan Air Base

Osan Air Base is a forward deployed base of the United States Air Force. Osan City lies ten miles north of Songtan, but was the closest settlement of appreciable size when the base was built in 1951-52. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that Osan was chosen as the name because the names of nearby hamlets were difficult to pronounce (Seojong-ri was the closest town that existed at the time, two miles south). Osan hosts U.S. Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force units.

Immediately outside the base is a district with many bars, dance clubs, small shops and restaurants. This area is commonly referred to by foreigners as "downtown" but is officially known as Sinjang-dong Shopping Mall. There is a sizeable foreign population, Filipino, and before 9/11 Russian, residing in the immediate vicinity of the base catering to debauchery with an increasing Chinese presence of small merchants. On weekends the streets are crowded with both local residents, tourists, shoppers, and general partiers clogging the streets and enjoying the "festive" atmosphere. Famous for hostesses called "Juicys" who supply drinks to the customers, most downtown bars as of 2006 feature pool, darts and hookahs as the main attractions. Dart and pool leagues are somewhat popular among the local population. There is also a growing music scene at bars that have local bands play on weekend nights. There are only a couple of bands that rotate throughout the Sinjang area.

Small shops are also a large part of the Shinjang area. In 1996 a portion of the main street leading off Osan AB was remade into a pedestrian mall, the Shinjang Shopping Mall. Some Americans are eager to buy custom-made clothing at prices somewhat cheaper than in the U.S. from the skilled artisans who line the mall. There are also leather workers and painters, and hanji shops which cater especially to the Americans. Customers may haggle with the shop owners to obtain the best deal, and the shop owners are usually willing to do the same.

Some of the businesses are well known food chains like McDonald's and Baskin-Robbins; however, most are small, individually owned shops, restaurants, and bars. There are also small 'gray-market' tents selling copyvio DVDs and/or foodstuffs.

"Downtown" is unique from many shopping strips in Korea because of its relatively large American/ foreign presence. Thus, most stores, restaurants, and establishments are bilingual (English/ Korean) and many accept US dollars as well as South Korean won.