Rason

This article is about the North Korean city. For the Australian politician, see Hector Rason. For his ministry, see Rason Ministry.

Special city in Kwanbuk, North Korea

Rason

라선시

Special city

라선특별시 * Rason Special City
Korean transcription(s)
• Chosŏn'gŭl| 라선특별시
• Hancha| 羅先特別市
• McCune-Reischauer| Rasŏn T'ŭkpyŏlsi
• Revised Romanization| Raseon Teukbyeolsi

Bipaseom Island (top), Imperial Hotel and Casino (bottom left), Rason Hotel (bottom right)

Country|  North Korea
Region| Kwanbuk
Government

• Party Committee Chairman| Rim Kyong-man[1] (WPK)
• People's Committee Chairman| Cho Chong-ho[1]
Area

• Total

| 746 km2 (288 sq mi)
Elevation

| 27 m (89 ft)
Population

(2019)[2]

• Total

| 205,000
• Density| 275/km2 (710/sq mi)
• Dialect

| Hamgyŏng
Time zone| UTC+9 (Pyongyang Time)
ISO Code| KP-13

Rason (formerly Rajin-Sŏnbong; Korean pronunciation: [ɾa.sʌ̹n, ɾa.dʑin.sʰʌ̹n.boŋ]) is a North Korean special city and ice-free port[3] 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 Rason Special Economic Zone.

In South Korean pronunciation, the initial "R" of the name is pronounced as "N", (나선, Naseon) as per standard Korean phonology. In 2000, the name was shortened from "Rajin-Sŏnbong" to "Rason". During the 1930s, the Japanese called it Rashin; at that time, it was an important port at the end of a railroad line. It fell under the control of the Red Army on 14 August 1945.

Before 1991, Rason was used by the Soviet Union as an alternative warm-water port in case Vladivostok was unavailable.[4] The Soviet naval facilities were built starting in 1979.[5] From 1993 to 2004, it 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 from its older designation as a directly governed city.[6] What this means in practice is unclear.

Rason borders Hunchun county in Jilin province of China and Khasansky District in Primorsky Krai of Russia.[3] China is making investments in the port as it gives it access to the Sea of Japan.[3][7] In July 2011, North Korea allowed China's domestic trade cargo to be shipped via its port of Rajin from northeast to east China.[8] Coal is shipped from nearby Chinese mines to Shanghai.[3] A casino by the sea caters to Chinese visitors.[9]

## Administrative divisions

[edit]

Rason is divided into two district (kuyŏk).[10]

### Rajin-guyŏk (라진구역; 羅津區域)

[edit]

* 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)

[edit]

* 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

[edit]

Rason has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification: Dwb).

Climate data for Rason

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | −3.8
(25.2)  | −1.1
(30.0)  | 4.4
(39.9)  | 11.4
(52.5)  | 16.1
(61.0)  | 19.0
(66.2)  | 23.2
(73.8)  | 24.8
(76.6)  | 21.3
(70.3)  | 15.3
(59.5)  | 6.0
(42.8)  | −1.1
(30.0)  | 11.3
(52.3)
Daily mean °C (°F)  | −9.1
(15.6)  | −6.8
(19.8)  | −1.3
(29.7)  | 5.2
(41.4)  | 9.9
(49.8)  | 14.2
(57.6)  | 19.1
(66.4)  | 20.7
(69.3)  | 16.0
(60.8)  | 9.4
(48.9)  | 0.9
(33.6)  | −6.2
(20.8)  | 6.0
(42.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | −14.4
(6.1)  | −12.5
(9.5)  | −6.9
(19.6)  | −0.9
(30.4)  | 3.8
(38.8)  | 9.5
(49.1)  | 15.0
(59.0)  | 16.6
(61.9)  | 10.8
(51.4)  | 3.5
(38.3)  | −4.2
(24.4)  | −11.2
(11.8)  | 0.8
(33.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches)  | 6
(0.2)  | 8
(0.3)  | 21
(0.8)  | 30
(1.2)  | 71
(2.8)  | 101
(4.0)  | 116
(4.6)  | 196
(7.7)  | 114
(4.5)  | 55
(2.2)  | 24
(0.9)  | 10
(0.4)  | 752
(29.6)
Source: Climate-Data.org[11]

## Port

[edit]

The Korean People's Navy maintains a naval training base at the Rajin Port in the city of Rason. In addition, a Chinese company in 2017 leased a dock for 10 years at the port.[12] This port may also be known as the Port of Rajin.[13]

## Military activity

[edit]

Since North Korea joined the Russo-Ukrainan war, Rason and the wider area surrounding it which borders Russia has been used as a way to transfer arms shipments and manpower to Russia.[14]

## Tourism

[edit]

Since 2025, North Korea has allowed tourism for everyone except American and South Korean citizens to visit the area. The YPT 's plans were to immediately open the entire city with Chinese tourists expected first. Given the recent opening, there is no tourism data. However it is confirmed that there are large amounts of Russian and Chinese tourists.[15]

## Economy

[edit]

### Foreign investments

[edit]

The Rason Emperor Hotel and Casino is a resort and casino in Rason owned by the Emperor Group, a diversified Hong Kong based commercial group.[16]

### Oil refinery

[edit]

Rajin Oil Refinery is the largest oil refinery in North Korea. Although North Korea itself lacks oil wells, they can and do import oil from other countries to supply their refineries. Large oil tankers are spotted multiple times unloading at the Rajin port.[2]

### Mining

[edit]

Rason has a number of mineral resources within the locality, including coal, iron, magnesite, and clay.[2]

### Ship building

[edit]

Rason is home to No 28 Shipyard Najin, a shipbuilder and supplier to the Korean People's Navy.

## Transport

[edit]

### Rail

[edit]

Rajin Station is on the Pyongra Line and Hambuk Line. The Hongui Line was opened in 1959, connecting Rason with the Russian Khasan on the Tumen River; the river is the natural North Korea–Russia border.

### Road

[edit]

The Tumen River Bridge connects between Hunchun and Rason.

## Sister cities

[edit]

* Hunchun, China[2]

## See also

[edit]

* North Korea portal

* List of cities in North Korea
* Rajin University of Marine Transport
* Geography of North Korea

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Organizational Chart of North Korean Leadership" (PDF). Seoul: Political and Military Analysis Division, Intelligence and Analysis Bureau; Ministry of Unification. January 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
2. ^ a b c d "朝鲜罗先市" (in Chinese). 18 October 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
3. ^ a b c d Andray Abrahamian (September 2011). "Report on Rason Special Economic Zone" (PDF). Choson Exchange. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
4. ^ Robinson, Thomas W. (January 1982). "The Soviet Union and Asia in 1981". Asian Survey. A Survey of Asia in 1981: Part I. 22 (1): 20. doi:10.2307/2643707. JSTOR 2643707.
5. ^ Hodson, H. V.; Rose, Bishakha, eds. (1980). The Annual Register of World Events 1979. 221. UK: Longmans Group Limited. pp. 104, 314. ISBN 0-8103-2023-1.
6. ^ "Rasun Becomes Special City". Daily NK. 5 January 2010. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012.
7. ^ "Strategic Implications of China's Access to the Rajin Port". The Jamestown Foundation. 18 March 2010. Archived from the original on 28 February 2011.
8. ^ "DPRK allows China domestic trade cargo to ship via its port". China Daily. 4 July 2011. Archived from the original on 19 August 2011.
9. ^ Wong, Edward (12 October 2011). "Tending a Small Patch of Capitalism in North Korea". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 13 October 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
10. ^ "라선시 – 북한지명사전". North Korea Net. JoongAng Ilbo. Archived from the original on 29 August 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
11. ^ "Climate: Rason". Climate-Data.org. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
12. ^ "China leases Rason port for 10 years". North Korean Economy Watch. Archived from the original on 9 September 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
13. ^ "Kim Sent Russia Millions of Artillery Shells, South Korea Says". Bloomberg. 14 June 2024.
14. ^ ifangbremer (16 January 2025). "North Korea opens border city of Rason to almost all travelers: Tour agency | NK News". NK News – North Korea News. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
15. ^ ifangbremer (16 January 2025). "North Korea opens border city of Rason to almost all travelers: Tour agency | NK News". NK News – North Korea News. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
16. ^ "Gambling as usual up North for Emperor Group casino". South China Morning Post. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2020.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Dormels, Rainer (2014). North Korea's Cities: Industrial facilities, internal structures and typification. Jimoondang. ISBN 978-89-6297-167-5.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rason.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Rason.

* 360 degree panorama of Rajin Port in Rason
* North Korea Uncovered Archived 14 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine (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.
* City profile of Rason Archived 10 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine

* v
* t
* e

Rasŏn

Districts|

* Rajin
* Sŏnbong

* v
* t
* e

Regions and administrative divisions of North Korea

Regions|

* Kwanbuk
* Kwannam
* Kwandong
* Ryongdong
* Ryongso
* Kyonggi
* Haeso
* Kwanso

Provinces|

* Chagang
* Kangwon
* North Hamgyong
* North Hwanghae
* North Pyongan
* Ryanggang
* South Hamgyong
* South Hwanghae
* South Pyongan

Direct-administered city|

* Pyongyang

Special cities|

* Kaesong
* Nampo
* Rason

Special administrative regions (abolished)|

* Kaesong
* Kumgang
* Sinuiju

* v
* t
* e

Cities in North Korea

Directly governed city|

* Pyongyang

Special cities|

* Rason
* Nampo
* Kaesong

Provincial capitals|

* Chongjin
* Haeju
* Hamhung
* Hyesan
* Kanggye
* Pyongsong
* Sariwon
* Sinuiju
* Wonsan

Other cities|

* Anju
* Chongju
* Hoeryong
* Huichon
* Kaechon
* Kimchaek
* Kusong
* Manpo
* Munchon
* Samjiyon
* Sinpo
* Songrim
* Sunchon
* Tanchon
* Tokchon

42°20′40″N 130°23′04″E﻿ / ﻿42.34444°N 130.38444°E﻿ / 42.34444; 130.38444
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