Directory_and_Chronicle_1929 — Page 583

CHINNAMPO

浦南 Chin-nam-po

This port was opened to foreign trade on the 1st October, 1897, in pursuance of a resolution passed by the Council of State. The port is situated on the north bank of the Taitong inlet, about twenty miles from its mouth, in the extreme south-west of the province of Pyeng-yang. It is some forty miles distant by water from Ping-yang, the third city in the peninsula, has a population of 23,000, and is a place of considerable commercial activity. The railroad traffic between Ping-yang and Chinnampo was started in October, 1910, the distance being 35 miles. The province is rich in agricul- tural and mineral wealth, the latter being now developed by foreign enterprise.

The business of the port is increasing year by year, the rich hinterland holding out good prospects for the future. The business community is entirely composed of Japanese and Chinese. The Japanese population numbers about 7,000.

The principal articles of export are rice, beans, wheat, maize, cow-hides and timber. Of imports, cotton and silk piece goods, matches, kerosene, porcelain, iron and hardware deserve mention. The harbour of Chinnampo affords safe accom- modation for a great number of vessels of the deepest draught and the largest tonnage.

KUNSAN

Kunsan, one of the ports opened to forcign 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 Cholla-do and Chung-Chong-do, on the West Coast of Corea, and lies about halfway between Chemulpo 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 peninsula. 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. 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. Rice is largely exported from Kunsan, and Japanese farmers have been attracted in considerable numbers to this neighbourhood.

SONG-JIN

城津

This port (Joshin) is situated on the north-eastern coast of Chosen (Corea), in the province of North Ham-kyong, about 250 nautical miles from Wonsan and 125 nautical miles from Vladivostock. It was opened to foreign trade on the 1st May, 1899. The harbour is ice-free. The anchorage is not spacious, though very easy of access, and vessels drawing 10 feet or so can lie within a quarter of a mile from the shore. Improved jetty accommodation has encouraged the visits of vessels to the port. It is becoming an important place of call for all steamers engaged in the coastal trade, and a regular service has been opened between the port and Tsuruga. There is a railway connecting with Hoilyong, a town on the northern frontier, and a small line to the capital of the province. The exports chiefly consist of beans, cowhides, hemp- cloth and bêche de mer, whilst cotton goods, kerosene oil, ironware and matches form the principal items of imports.