PINGYANG
Pingyang, the capital city of the province of the same name, about 44 miles from the port of Chinnampo, ranks as the third city of the empire. It has been opened as a trade- ing mart, where foreigners may reside, trade, and rent land and houses, according to native rules, anywhere within the limit to be marked off for that purpose. This limit was, however, ignored, and the Government allowed the matter to slide. No Custom-house will be opened there, all goods to and from Pingyang paying duty for and from abroad at Chinnampo. The foreigners residing, at Pingyang are American, British and French missionaries, a few Chinese traders, and a growing number of Japanese. Two steamers under the Corean flag keep up communication between Pingyang and the port of Chinnampo, making the trip in about five hours. The famous city of Pingyang, with its historical battlefields, is well worth a visit, fairly good Japanese house accommodation being procurable. The city is beautifully situated in an extensive plain, on the right bank of the Ta-tong River. To the northward of Pingyang city, about 100 li distant, are situated the American and British mining concession, where less than 20 years ago the foot of the Occidental had never been allowed to tread;
the natives are now quite familiarized with western mining life as it unfolds itself before their eyes. Both mines are worked by foreigners with native help.
KUNSAN
Kunsan, one of the ports opened to foreign trade on the 1st May, 1899, is situated at the mouth of the Yong Dang River, which runs for many miles, forming the boundary line between the two provinces of Chulla-do and Chung-Chong-do, on the West Coast of Corea, and lies about halfway between Jenchuan and Mokpo. The two provinces referred to are so noted for their abundant supply of agricultural produce that they are called the magazines of the kingdom. The principal articles of export are rice, wheat, beans, different kinds of medicines, ox-hides, grasscloth, paper, bamboo articles, fans (both open and folding), screens and mats, bêche de mer, dried awabi, with various kinds of fish and seaweed.
returns for 1907.
The port itself was well known as the export station for the revenue rice, when the Government revenue was paid in rice and collected in this port for transmission to the capital. The foreign trade in 1908 amounted to Yen 1,833,392 in exports and Yen 793,112 in imports, showing a total increase of Yen, 32,416 as compared with the Among import goods, shirtings, lawns, cotton yarn, matches, kerosene oil, etc., had already found their way to the port prior to its opening for distribution to different markets. and Japanese farmers have been attracted in considerable numbers to this Rice is still largely exported from Kunsan, noighbourhood.
No Europeans reside in the port, but there is a foreign Municipal Council consisting of three members-two Japanese and one Korean-and there is a soparate Municipal Council for the Japanese Settlement.