Hamhung

Hamhŭng is a very important city in North Korea. It is the second-biggest city there and has a large port where many ships visit. This helps it be a key place for trade and jobs.

The city is the capital of South Hamgyŏng Province and is the largest city in that part of the Korean Peninsula. It was planned and built by the North Korean Government, showing how the country organizes its big cities.

Because of its size and location, Hamhŭng is important for the country's economy and transportation.

Administrative divisions

Hamhŭng is divided into 7 guyŏk (wards):

Geography

Hamhŭng is a city in northeast North Korea. It is on the left branch of the Ch'ŏngch'ŏn River. The city sits on the Hamhŭng plain in South Hamgyŏng Province. The highest point is Mount Tonghŭng.

The city has a humid continental climate. This means it has warm, humid summers and cold, dry winters. Because it is near the Sea of Japan, the winters are a little warmer and the summers a little cooler than in other places at the same latitude. This climate helps crops grow during the longer warm periods.

History

The city was once called Hamju or Hamjumok. It got its current name, Hamhung, in 1416.

During World War II, it was called Kankō when Japan ruled it. In 1945, the Red Army helped free it. Sadly, much of the city was destroyed during the Korean War. Later, from 1955 to 1962, East Germany helped rebuild it.

In 1995, during a time when food was very scarce, some soldiers marched toward Pyongyang, but things were stopped. The city had hard times during the North Korean famine in the 1990s. Today, visitors can see Hamhung through approved tours.

Economy

Hamhung has many jobs and industries, making it different from other cities in North Korea. Farms around Hamhung grow rice and other crops to feed the community.

The city is important for making chemicals and is a big port for trade. Factories in Hamhung make textiles, including a special fabric called vinalon, as well as metal goods, machinery, refined oil, and processed food. The well-known 2·8 vinalon union enterprise is here.

Transportation

Hamhung is an important place for travel. It links eastern ports and areas farther north. The city has a train station called Hamhung Station on the Pyongra Line railway. It also has an airport named Sondok Airport.

The city has trolleybuses that started in 1973. More lines were added in 1991, connecting Hamhung station to the Hungnam area. Some of these lines have closed, but the trolleybuses still serve the city.

Culture

Hamhŭng has the largest theatre in North Korea, called the Hamhŭng Grand Theatre. The city also has a national museum where people can learn about its history and culture.

One special food from Hamhŭng is Naengmyeon, a cold noodle dish made from buckwheat. It is often spicier than the cold noodles from Pyongyang and comes with more tasty toppings.

Education

Hamhŭng has many important schools. These include the Hamhung University of Education, Hamhung University of Chemical Industry, and the Hamhung University of Pharmacy. There are also colleges like the Hamhŭng College of Quality Control and the Hamhŭng Hydrographic and Power College.

In 2018, the South Hamgyong Sci-Tech Library opened. It is the largest science and technology library outside of Pyongyang.

Prisons

There are two special places near Hamhung where people go to learn new ways to behave. One is called Kyo-hwa-so No. 9 and it is in the northeastern part of Hamhung. The other is Kyo-hwa-so No. 22, which is in Yonggwang County north of Hamhung.

People born in Hamhŭng

Some famous people were born in Hamhŭng. They include Yi Seonggye, who started the Chosŏn dynasty, Korea's last royal line. Other well-known people are South Korean writer Ahn Soo-kil, Korean American writer Richard E. Kim, Korean Canadian mathematician Rimhak Ree, South Korean ceramic artist Yoon Kwang-cho, and Yang Hyong-sop, who was President of the Supreme People's Assembly from 1984 to 1998.

Twin towns – sister cities

Hamhung has a special friendship with another city. It is twinned with Shanghai in the People's Republic of China since 1982. This means the two cities work together and help each other.