The city was called Iri (Irishi; 이리시; 裡里市; "Iri City") until it merged with Iksan County (Iksangun; 익산군; 益山郡) in the 1990s. The railway junction is located at the point where Jeolla and Gunsan Lines meet the Honam Line, and is served by frequent train service to/from Seoul, Daejeon, Gwangju, Mokpo, Jeonju, Suncheon, and Yeosu.