Directory_and_Chronicle_1901 — Page 568

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KUNSAN SONG CHIN

KUNSAN

Kunsan, one of the new 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 Korea, 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, bicho de mar, dried awabi, with various kinds of fish and seaweed.

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. For the eight months of 1899, the trade figures reached £46,619. 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 the importation of these goods has since steadily increased in such a way as to guarantee the future of Kunsan as a port of trade. Population: 3,500 Coreans, 420 Japanese and 10 Chinese.

CHINESE MERCHANTS

Tong Shun Tai Kin Sin Tong

CONSULATE JAPAN

Acting-Consul-K. Asayama Chanceller-K. Andow Police Inspector-A. Hachida Two Constables

CUSTOMS

DIRECTORY

Assnt.-in-charge-S. K. Nakabayashi Tidewaiter-N. 'Umemoto Weigher-Wang Say Foo

FOREIGN RESIDENTS

Dr. A. D. Drew and wife Rev. W. F. Bull

Miss Libby Alby

JAPANESE MERCHANTS

Hori & Co. (steamship agents) Kiya & Co.

Natsume & Co.

Ohsawa & Co. (Agent for Osaka Shosen

Kaisha)

Kanamori & Co.

Shimoda & Co.

Ishida & Co.

Fukuda & Co.

SONG

CHIN

城津

This port is situated on the north-eastern coast of Corea, in the province of North Ham-kiung, about 120 miles from Wonsan. It was opened to foreign trade on the 1st May, 1899. The native town is built close to the beach, and to judge by the ruins of walls and watch towers was once a fortified place. The settlement will occupy the native town and extend beyond to the North. The native inhabitants number about 500. The next market place is about 40 li distant and up country, whilst the main road leading from Seoul to the Tumen river is at a distance of about 10 li. The Custom House is situated near the settlement on the neck of the small peninsula forming one side of the Song Chin bay. Of foreigners there are some 40 Japanese living as yet in Corean houses; they are mostly small shopkeepers and coolies. The