Rason

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 fell under the control of 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. The Soviet naval facilities were built starting in 1979. 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. What this means in practice is unclear.

Rason borders Hunchun county in Jilin province of China and Khasansky District in Primorsky Krai of Russia. China is making investments in the port as it gives it access to the Sea of Japan. In July 2011, North Korea allowed China's domestic trade cargo to be shipped via its port of Rajin from northeast to east China. Coal is shipped from nearby Chinese mines to Shanghai. A casino by the sea caters to Chinese visitors.

Administrative divisions

Rason is divided into two districts (kuyŏk).

Rajin-guyŏk (라진구역; 羅津區域)

• Anhwa-dong (안화동 / 安和洞)
• Anju-dong (안주동 / 安住洞)
• Jigyŏng-dong (지경동 / 地境洞)
• Junghyŏn-dong (중현동 / 中峴洞)
• Changphyŏng-dong (창평동 / 倉坪洞)
• Chŏnggye-dong (청계동 / 淸溪洞)
• Hahyŏn-dong (하현동 / 下峴洞)
• Haebang-dong (해방동 / 解放洞)
• Kwangok-dong (관곡동 / 寬谷洞)
• Namsan-dong (남산동 / 南山洞)
• Tongmyŏng-dong (동명동 / 東明洞)
• Sanghyŏn-dong (상현동 / 上峴洞)
• Sinan-dong (신안동 / 新安洞)
• Sinhae-dong (신해동 / 新海洞)
• Sinhŭng-dong (신흥동 / 新興洞)
• Songphyŏng-dong (송평동 / 松坪洞)
• Yŏkchŏn-dong (역전동 / 驛前洞)
• Yuhyŏn-dong (유현동 / 踰峴洞)
• Muchang-ri (무창리 / 武倉里)
• Huchang-ri (후창리 / 厚倉里)

Sŏnbong-guyŏk (선봉군; 先鋒郡)

• Sŏnbong-ŭp (선봉읍 / 先鋒邑)
• Tuman'gang-rodongjagu (두만강로동자구 / 豆滿江勞動者區)
• Ungsang-rodongjagu (웅상로동자구 / 雄尙勞動者區)
• Chosal-li (조산리 / 造山里)
• Hahoe-ri (하회리 / 下檜里)
• Hayŏp'yŏng-ri (하여평리 / 下汝坪里)
• Hongŭi-ri (홍의리 / 洪儀里)
• Kulp'o-ri (굴포리 / 屈浦里)
• Paekhang-ri (백학리 / 白鶴里)
• Pup'o-ri (부포리 / 鮒浦里)
• Sahoe-ri (사회리 / 四會里)
• Uam-ri (우암리 / 牛岩里)
• Wŏnjŏng-ri (원정리 / 元汀里)