Directory_and_Chronicle_1937 — Page 372

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, about halfway between Chemulpo and Mokpo in a rich agricultural district. 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 The population was estimated at 35,999 (Korean 26,508, Japanese 9,106)

in December 1933.

SEISHIN

津清

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This port is situated on the north-eastern coast of Korea, in the Province North Kankyo (Ham-Kyong) of which it is the principal port, about 200 nautical miles from Gensan. It was opened to foreign trade in 1899. It is becoming an important place of call for all steamers engaged in the coastal trade, and a regular service plies between the port and Tsuruga, viâ Gensan. There is a railway connecting with Kainei (Hoilyong), a town on the north frontier, and a small line to the capital of the province. The line connecting the ports of Seishin and Yuki on the N.E. coast with Tumen, the growing city just across the frontier, providing a new route from Japan to Hsinking via (Kirin), was opened on 1st September, 1933, and shortly afterwards handed over to the South Manchuria Railway Company. The new route is shorter by 393 miles than the regular route from Japan to Hsinking via Dairen, the sea trip in the latter case being 364 miles longer. 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.

The population in December, 1933 was 37,030 (Korean 26,979, Japanese 9,358).

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