Directory_and_Chronicle_1927 — Page 588

WONSAN (GENSAN OR YUENSAN)

山元 Yuen-san

This port, situated in Broughton Bay, on the north-eastern coast of Chosen, is in the southern corner of the province of South Ham-kyong, about halfway between Fusan and Vladivostock. It was opened to Japanese trade on the 1st May, 1880, and to other nations in November, 1883. It is called Gensan by the Japanese, Wonsan by the Koreans, and Yuensan by the Chinese. The native town has grown considerably since the port was opened to trade, and contained a population of some 30,000 inhabitants at the end of 1922. The town is built along the southern shore of the bay, and through it runs the main road which leads from Seoul to the Tumen river. Markets are held five times a month for the sale of agricultural produce and foreign imports. The Custom House is situated in the heart of the former foreign settlements about a mile distant from the native town. The harbour is a good one, being spacious, easy of access, and well sheltered with excellent holding ground and convenient depth of water.

Trade is carried on by regular lines of steamers running to Japan, Shanghai, and Vladivostock. The exports consist chiefly of agricultural and mining products, rice, beans, cattle, dried fish, gold-dust, whale-flesh and skins. Imports consist chiefly of cotton and silk manufactured goods, cotton wadding, metals, and kerosene oil. About 40 per cent. of the imports are cotton goods. The business is mainly in Japanese

hands.

FUSAN

Fu-san

Fusan (or Pusan, as it is called by the native population) is the chief port of Kyong-sang-do, the south-eastern province of Chosen, and lies in lat. 35 deg. 6 min. 6 sec. N. and long. 129 deg. 3 min. 2 sec. E. It was opened to Japanese trade in 1876 and to Western nations in 1883. The native town has a population of about 33,000 inhabitants. The Japanese quarter is situated a little distance from the native town, opposite the island of Cholyongdo (Deer Island). It is under the control of the Prefect appointed by the Government-General at Chosen. The population of Fusan at the end of 1922 was about 76,000, of whom 34,000 were Japanese. The Seoul-Fusan Rail- way and a daily service of steamers to Japan have combined to make Fusan a great centre of activity, and the volume of trade passing through the port has greatly increased in recent years. Many public improvements are being carried out, including the enlargement of the waterworks, the laying out of new roads, etc. Fusan was connected with Japan by a submarine telegraph cable in November, 1883.

There are few European firms in the port; business is carried on principally by the Japanese.