Rason

Rason is a special city in North Korea. It is a port on the northeast tip of the country, in the Sea of Japan in the North Pacific Ocean. The city is part of the Kwanbuk region and is the location of the Rason Special Economic Zone.

In the past, Rason was known as Rajin-Sŏnbong. Its name was changed to Rason in 2000. During the 1930s, it was an important port. After World War II, it came under new control.

Before 1991, the Soviet Union used Rason as a port. From 1993 to 2004, Rason was governed separately. Since 2010, it has been a special city.

Rason borders China and Russia. China has invested in the port. The port handles trade and coal shipments, and there is a casino for Chinese visitors.

Administrative divisions

Rason is divided into two main areas called districts.

Rajin-guyŏk (라진구역; 羅津區域)

These are the neighborhoods in Rajin-guyŏk:

• Anhwa-dong (안화동 / 安和洞)
• Anju-dong (안주동 / 安住洞)
• Jigyŏng-dong (지경동 / 地境洞)
• Junghyŏn-dong (중현동 / 中峴洞)
• Changphyŏng-dong (창평동 / 倉坪洞)
• Chŏnggye-dong (청계동 / 淸溪洞)
• Hahyŏn-dong (하현동 / 下峴洞)
• Haebang-dong (해방동 / 解放洞)
• Kwangok-dong (관곡동 / 寬谷洞)
• Namsan-dong (남산동 / 南山洞)
• Tongmyŏng-dong (동명동 / 東明洞)
• Sanghyŏn-dong (상현동 / 上峴洞)
• Sinan-dong (신안동 / 新安洞)
• Sinhae-dong (신해동 / 新海洞)
• Sinhŭng-dong (신흥동 / 新興洞)
• Songphyŏng-dong (송평동 / 松坪洞)
• Yŏkchŏn-dong (역전동 / 驛前洞)
• Yuhyŏn-dong (유현동 / 踰峴洞)
• Muchang-ri (무창리 / 武倉里)
• Huchang-ri (후창리 / 厚倉里)

Sŏnbong-guyŏk (선봉군; 先鋒郡)

These are the neighborhoods in Sŏnbong-guyŏk:

• Sŏnbong-ŭp (선봉읍 / 先鋒邑)
• Tuman'gang-rodongjagu (두만강로동자구 / 豆滿江勞動者區)
• Ungsang-rodongjagu (웅상로동자구 / 雄尙勞動者區)
• Chosal-li (조산리 / 造山里)
• Hahoe-ri (하회리 / 下檜里)
• Hayŏp'yŏng-ri (하여평리 / 下汝坪里)
• Hongŭi-ri (홍의리 / 洪儀里)
• Kulp'o-ri (굴포리 / 屈浦里)
• Paekhang-ri (백학리 / 白鶴里)
• Pup'o-ri (부포리 / 鮒浦里)
• Sahoe-ri (사회리 / 四會里)
• Uam-ri (우암리 / 牛岩里)
• Wŏnjŏng-ri (원정리 / 元汀里)

Climate

Rason has a humid continental climate. This means the weather there changes a lot between seasons, with cold winters and warm summers. The specific type is called Dwb in climate science.

Port

The Korean People's Navy uses Rajin Port in Rason for training. In 2017, a Chinese company rented a dock at the port for ten years. This port is also known as the Port of Rajin.

Military activity

Rason is close to the border with Russia. Since North Korea joined the Russo-Ukrainian war, Rason has been used to send supplies to Russia. This includes moving goods and people to help Russia.

Tourism

Since 2025, North Korea has welcomed tourists from many places. People from America and South Korea cannot visit yet. The city opened not long ago. Many tourists from Russia and China are expected to visit first. Because it is so new, there is no tourism data yet, but the area is ready for visitors.

Economy

Rason has many important industries. The Rason Emperor Hotel and Casino is a big resort and casino owned by the Emperor Group, a company based in Hong Kong.

Rajin Oil Refinery is the largest oil refinery in North Korea. North Korea imports oil to use in its refineries. Large oil tankers often unload oil at the Rajin port.

The area also has useful minerals such as coal, iron, magnesite, and clay. Rason is home to No 28 Shipyard Najin, which builds ships for the Korean People's Navy.

Transport

Rason has train stations, including Rajin Station. This station is on two important rail lines. Another rail line opened in 1959. It links Rason to a place called Khasan in Russia. Khasan is across the Tumen River, which is the border between North Korea and Russia.

There is also a bridge called the Tumen River Bridge. This bridge connects Rason to Hunchun.

Sister cities

Rason has a sister city named Hunchun in China.