Hamhung

Hamhung, Jap. Kanko, city (1993 pop. 709,730), capital of South Hamgyong prov., E central North Korea. It is a leading port for Korean foreign trade as well as a major industrial center. Textiles, metalware, machinery, and chemicals are produced, oil is refined, and food is processed. Coal mines are nearby. The founder of the Choson (Yi) dynasty, the last imperial line of Korea, was born in Hamhung.

City (pop., 2005 est.: 804,000), east-central North Korea. It was the commercial and administrative centre of North Korea during the Chosŏn dynasty (1392–1910) and developed as a modern industrial city in the 1920s. During the Korean War, most industrial plants in the area were destroyed by U.S. bombing raids, but they were rebuilt. In addition to its manufacturing importance, it is the site of several institutions of learning.

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Hamhŭng (Hamhŭng-si) is North Korea's second largest city, and the capital of South Hamgyŏng Province. In late 2005, nearby Hŭngnam was made a ward (kuyŏk) within Hamhŭng-si.

Geography

Hamhŭng is on the left branch of the Sŏngch'ŏn River, on the eastern part of the Hamhŭng plain (함흥평야), in South Hamgyŏng Province, northeast North Korea. The Tonghŭngsan is 319 m high.

History

The city was heavily destroyed (80–90%) during the Korean War. From 1955–1962, Hamhŭng was the object of a large-scale program of reconstruction and development by East Germany including the build-up of various construction-related industries and intense training measures for Korean construction workers, engineers, city planners and architects. The project ended two years earlier than scheduled and with a low profile because of the Sino-Soviet conflict and the opposing positions that North Korea and East Germany took on that issue.

From 1960 to 1967, Hamhŭng was administered separately from South Hamgyŏng as a Directly Governed City (Chikhalsi), but before 1960, and since 1967, the city has been part of South Hamgyŏng Province.

In 1995, Hamhŭng witnessed, thus far, the only documented challenge to the North Korean government when famine-ravaged soldiers began a march toward Pyongyang. The revolt was quelled and the unit of soldiers was disbanded.

Economy

Hamhŭng is an important chemical industry center in the DPRK. It is an industrial city which serves as a major port for North Korean foreign trade. Production includes textiles (particularly vinalon), metalware, machinery, refined oil and processed food.

Transportation

The city is a transportation hub, connecting various eastern ports and the northern interior area.

Culture

It has a national museum and a branch academy of science.

Hamhŭng is home to the Hamhŭng University of Education, Hamhŭng University of Pharmacy, Hamhŭng University of Chemistry and Hamhŭng University of Medicine. Professional colleges in Hamhǔng include the Hamhǔng College of Quality Control, the Hamhŭng Hydrographic and Power College, and the Hamhǔng College of Electronics and Automation.

Hamhŭng also hosts the biggest theatre in North Korea.

Food

Hamhŭng is famous for its naengmyŏn.

People born in Hamhŭng

• Yi Seonggye (이성계; 1335–1408), the founder of the Chosŏn dynasty, Korea's last royal line
• Ahn Soo-kil (안수길; 1911–1977), writer
• Richard E. Kim (born 1932), writer
• Yoon Kwang-cho (윤광조; born 1946), ceramic artist
• Yang Hyong-sop (born 1925), President of the Supreme People's Assembly from 1984-1998

See also

• List of cities in North Korea
• Geography of North Korea
• List of Provinces of Balhae

External links

• North Korea Uncovered, (North Korea Google Earth) Maps out Hamhung's economic infrastructure, including railways, hotels, tourist destinations, cultural facilities, ports, and electricity grid on Google Earth.

Footnotes