This article is about the North Korean city. For the Australian politician, see
Hector Rason. For his ministry, see
Rason Ministry.
Rason
라선
|
| — Directly Governed City — |
| Rason Directly Governed City |
| Korean transcription(s) |
| • Chosŏn'gŭl |
라선특별시 |
| • Hancha |
羅先特別市 |
| • McCune-Reischauer |
Rasŏn/Nasŏn T'ŭkpyŏlsi |
| • Revised Romanization |
Raseon/Naseon Teukbyeolsi |
|
From top left: Bipaseom Island, Emperor Hotel and Casino, & Rason Hotel |
|
|
| Country |
 North Korea |
| Region |
Kwanbuk |
| Area |
| • Total |
746 km2 (288 sq mi) |
| Elevation |
27 m (89 ft) |
| Population (2008) |
| • Total |
205,000 |
| • Density |
275/km2 (710/sq mi) |
| • Dialect |
Hamgyŏng |
Rason (formerly Rajin-Sŏnbong; Korean pronunciation: [ɾasɔn, ɾadʑin-sɔnboŋ]) is a North Korean city and ice-free port in the Sea of Japan in the North Pacific Ocean on the northeast tip of North Korea. It is in the Kwanbuk region and location of the Rajin-Sonbong Economic Special Zone. In South Korean pronunciation, the initial "R" of the name is pronounced as "N," as per standard Korean phonology. In 2000 the name was shortened from "Rajin-Sŏnbong" to "Rason". From 1993 to 2004 was administered separately from North Hamgyŏng as the Directly Governed City (Chikhalsi) of Rason. Prior to 1993 and from 2004 to 2009 the city had been part of the North Hamgyŏng Province. Since 2010 the city is a "Special City", again breaking from provincial control but different to its older designation as a "Directly Governed City".[1] It is unclear what this means in practice. Rason borders Jilin province of China and Primorsky Krai of Russia. China is making investments in the port as it gives it access to the Sea of Japan.[2] In July 2011, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) gave a green light to the China's domestic trade cargo to be shipped via its port of Rajin from northeast to east China.[3] Coal is shipped from nearby Chinese mines to Shanghai. There is a casino by the sea which caters to Chinese visitors.[4]
[edit] Administrative divisions
Rason is divided into 1 ward ("Kuyŏk") and 1 county ("Kun").
[edit] Transport
- Rail
Rajin Station is on the Pyongra Line.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- North Korea Uncovered (North Korea Google Earth) Maps out Rason's economic infrastructure, including railways, hotels, tourist destinations, cultural facilities, ports, electricity grid, and electrified perimeter fence on Google Earth.
Coordinates: 42°20′40″N 130°23′04″E / 42.34444°N 130.38444°E / 42.34444; 130.38444
North Korea
Jilin, China
Russia
Rason 
