Kyŏngwŏn County is a ''kun'', or county, in
North Hamgyong
North Hamgyong Province (Hamgyŏngbukdo, ) is the northernmost province of North Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Hamgyong Province.
Geography
The province is bordered by China (Jilin) on the north, ...
province,
North Korea, located at , formerly known as Saebyŏl. It is bordered by the
People's Republic of China to the north and east,
Kyonghung to the southeast,
Hoeryong to the southwest, and
Onsong to the west.
The western region of Kyongwon is mountainous, while the east is relatively flat. The highest point is Chungsan. The largest river is the
Tumen, which flows along the eastern border. Numerous tributaries of the Tumen also flow through the county. Approximately 75% of the county is forested.
Aside from agriculture, livestock raising and sericulture are widespread. The chief local crops are rice, corn, and soybeans.
Bituminous coal
Bituminous coal, or black coal, is a type of coal containing a tar-like substance called bitumen or asphalt. Its coloration can be black or sometimes dark brown; often there are well-defined bands of bright and dull material within the seams. It ...
is also mined.
Railroads passing through Kyongwon include the
Hambuk and
Kogonwon Line
The Kogŏnwŏn Line is a non-electrified standard-gauge secondary line of the Korean State Railway in Kyŏngwon County, North Hamgyŏng Province, running from Singŏn on the Hambuk Line to Kogŏnwŏn.Kokubu, Hayato, 将軍様の鉄道 (Sh ...
s. It is also connected by Shatuozi Border Road bridge to the Chinese city of
Hunchun in the
Yanbian autonomous prefecture.
History
Under
Joseon
Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...
period Kyongwon was invaded by Jurchens tribes in 1409. Therefore, to safeguard his people from the hostile Chinese and
Jurchen people (later known as
Manchus) living in
Manchuria, King
Sejong the Great of Joseon ordered to establish there one of the six post/garrisons (
hangul :육진
hanja :六鎭) in 1433. In 1977 the county's name was changed to Saebyol, but it was later reverted.
Administrative divisions
Kyongwon County is divided into 1 town ("
ŭp
An ''eup'' or ''ŭp'' () is an administrative unit in both North Korea and South Korea similar to the unit of town.
In South Korea
Along with "Myeon (administrative division), myeon", an "eup" is one of the divisions of a county ("County#Kore ...
") 21 villages ("
ri") and 3 worker's districts ("rodongjagu", abbreviated as "gu").
''Note: The Korean syllabe "som" (섬) in Ryudasom-ri, is converted into hanja "do" 島 because both of them means island in that case.''
See also
*
North Hamgyong
North Hamgyong Province (Hamgyŏngbukdo, ) is the northernmost province of North Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Hamgyong Province.
Geography
The province is bordered by China (Jilin) on the north, ...
*
Geography of North Korea
*
Administrative divisions of North Korea
The administrative divisions of North Korea are organized into three hierarchical levels. These divisions were created in 2002. Many of the units have equivalents in the system of South Korea. At the highest level are nine provinces and fou ...
External links
Location of the four forts and the six posts*
References
{{North Hamgyong
Counties of North Hamgyong