Gunhangje, or the Naval Port Festival, is held annually for 10 days in early April in the city of Jinhae amid gorgeous cherry blossoms. Jinhae has been an important naval base on the south coast since the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The festival originated from a memorial ceremony in 1952 for Adm. Yi Sun-shin, a 16th-century war hero. It is currently a combination of memorial services for Adm. Yi and cultural and artistic events.