Rason

Rason
라선시
Special city
라선특별시 · Rason Special City
Korean transcription(s)
 • Hancha 羅先特別市
 • McCune–R. Rasŏn T'ŭkpyŏlsi
 • Rev. Roman. Raseon Teukbyeolsi
Country  North Korea
Region Kwanbuk
Area
 • Total 746 km2 (288 sq mi)
Elevation 27 m (89 ft)
Population (2008)[1]
 • Total 196,954
 • Density 275/km2 (710/sq mi)
 • Dialect Hamgyŏng

Rason (formerly Rajin-Sŏnbong; Korean pronunciation: [ɾa.sʌn, ɾa.dʑin.sʌn.boŋ]) is a North Korean city and ice-free port[2] in the Sea of Japan in the North Pacific Ocean on the northeast tip of North Korea. It is in the Kwanbuk region and location of the Rason Special Economic Zone.

In South Korean pronunciation, the initial "R" of the name is pronounced as "N", (나선, Naseon) as per standard Korean phonology. In 2000, the name was shortened from "Rajin-Sŏnbong" to "Rason". During the 1930s, the Japanese called it Rashin; at that time, it was an important port at the end of a railroad line. It was liberated by the Red Army on 14 August 1945.

Before 1991, Rason was used by the Soviet Union as an alternative warm-water port in case Vladivostok was unavailable.[3] From 1993 to 2004, it was administered separately from North Hamgyŏng as the directly governed city (Chikhalsi) of Rason. Prior to 1993 and from 2004 to 2009, the city had been part of the North Hamgyŏng Province. Since 2010, the city is a "special city", again breaking from provincial control, but different from its older designation as a directly governed city.[4] What this means in practice is unclear.

Rason borders Jilin province of China and Khasansky District in Primorsky Krai of Russia.[2] China is making investments in the port as it gives it access to the Sea of Japan.[2][5] In July 2011, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) gave a green light to the China's domestic trade cargo to be shipped via its port of Rajin from northeast to east China.[6] Coal is shipped from nearby Chinese mines to Shanghai.[2] A casino by the sea caters to Chinese visitors.[7]

Rason in 2007

Administrative divisions

Rason is divided into one district (kuyŏk) and one county (kun).[8]

Rajin-guyŏk (라진구역; 羅津區域)

Sŏnbong-gun (선봉군; 先鋒郡)

Transport

Rail

Rajin Station is on the Pyongra Line.

See also

References

  1. ↑ DPR Korean Central Bureau of Statistics: 2008 Population Census (Population 2008, published in 2009)
  2. 1 2 3 4 Andray Abrahamian (September 2011). "Report on Rason Special Economic Zone" (PDF). Choson Exchange. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  3. ↑ Robinson, Thomas W (January 1982). "The Soviet Union and Asia in 1981". Asian Survey. A Survey of Asia in 1981: Part I. 22 (1): 13–32. doi:10.1525/as.1982.22.1.01p0334u.
  4. ↑ "Rasun Becomes Special City". Daily NK. 5 January 2010.
  5. ↑ "Strategic Implications of China's Access to the Rajin Port". The Jamestown Foundation. 18 March 2010.
  6. ↑ "DPRK allows China domestic trade cargo to ship via its port". China Daily. 4 July 2011.
  7. ↑ Wong, Edward (12 October 2011). "Tending a Small Patch of Capitalism in North Korea". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  8. ↑ "라선시 - 북한지명사전". North Korea Net. JoongAng Ilbo. Retrieved 26 February 2013.

Further reading

Coordinates: 42°20′40″N 130°23′04″E / 42.34444°N 130.38444°E / 42.34444; 130.38444

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