Wonsan, Jap. Gensan, city (1993 pop. 300,148), capital of Kangwon prov., SE North Korea, on the Sea of Japan (or East Sea). It is a major port and naval base, with a natural harbor protected by a line of islands. The city has important fish and fish-processing industries. Oil refining, rice processing, and the manufacture of locomotives, textiles, ships, chemicals, and leather goods are also important. Opened to foreign trade in 1883, Wonsan became a Japanese naval base in World War II. It suffered heavy damage during the Korean War.

Wŏnsan is a port city and naval base in southeastern North Korea. It is the capital of Kangwŏn Province. The population of the city is estimated to have been 331,000 in 2000. Famous people from Wŏnsan include Kim Ki Nam, diplomat and Secretary of the Workers' Party.

History

The original name of Wŏnsan was Wŏnsanjin (원산진). It opened as trade port in 1880. In 1914 the Pyongyang-Wŏnsan railway and the Shenyang-Wŏnsan railway were opened, after which the city gradually developed into an eastern product distribution center.

Wŏnsan used to be in South Hamgyong, but when provincial borders were redrawn in 1946, it joined the northern half of Kangwŏn (which had been split at the 38th parallel north into a zone under Soviet control in the north and one of American control in the south in 1945) and became its capital, as Kangwŏn's traditional capitals Wonju (1395–1895) and Chuncheon (since 1896) both were south of the 38th parallel and south of the Military Demarcation Line that replaced the 38th parallel as a border in 1953. Chuncheon is still the capital of the southern part of the province (Gangwon-do) which is controlled by South Korea.

Today, Wŏnsan is a comprehensive harbor industrial city, it is also the administrative centre of Kangwŏn Province.

Geography

Wŏnsan's area is . It is located in Kangwŏn Province, on the westernmost part of the Sea of Japan (East Sea of Korea) and the east end of the Korean peninsula's neck. Mt. Changdok (Changdok-san) and Mt. Naphal (Naphal-san) are located to the west of the city. More than 20 small islands flank Wŏnsan's immediate coastal area, including Hwangt'o Island and Ryo Island. Wŏnsan is considered an excellent natural port location.

Kŭmgang-san is located near Wŏnsan.

Economy

Wŏnsan has an aquatic product processing factory, shipyard, chemistry enterprise, and a cement factory.

Transportation

Wŏnsan is connected to Pyongyang and other North Korean cities by electric railway and a modern highway system. The city has a military and civilian dual purposes air station (WON) and is equipped with 01/19 and 15/33 dual runways, and is also the terminus of the Mangyongbong-92 ferry, the only direct connection between Japan and North Korea.

Media

The Korean Central Broadcasting Station maintains a 250-kilowatt mediumwave transmitter broadcasting on 882 kHz AM.

Education

Wŏnsan is home to Songdowon University, Kumgang University, Tonghae University, Jong Jun Thaek University of Economics, Wŏnsan University of Medicine, Wŏnsan First University of Education and Ri Su Dok University.

Tourism

Most of North Korea is not accessible to foreign tourists. However, nearby Songdowon is a famous sea bathing destination for North Koreans, as the water there is exceptionally clear. Pine trees are abundant in the surrounding area, and it has been designated a national sightseeing point.

Songdowon International Children's Union Camp was built beside Songdowon, at , and it still receives teenagers and youth for cultural exchange between North Korea and various foreign countries.

Famous scenic sites near Wŏnsan: Myongsasimni, Lake Sijung, Chongsokjon and Mt. Kumgang.

See also

• List of Korea-related topics
• Geography of North Korea
• Naval bases of the Korean People's Navy

External links

• North Korea Uncovered, (North Korea Google Earth) a Google Earth map of Wonsan's cultural, economic, political, military infrastructure, and tourist loctions and facilities.
• The Wŏnsan Operation, October 1950 – Korean War Amphibious Assault ordered by General Douglas MacArthur
• Google Earth images of Wŏnsan, including one of Kim Jong Il's palaces, a military airfield, and the ferry Mangyongbong-92