Wonsan
Wonsan is a port city and naval base in Kangwon Province, North Korea along the coast of the Sea of Japan. Wonsan is also the provincial capital of the province.[1]
Geography
[change | change source]Wonsan's area is 269 square kilometres. It is located in Kangwon Province, on the westernmost part of the Sea of Japan. Mount Kŭmgang is near Wonsan.
Administrative divisions
[change | change source]Wonsan is the provincial capital of Kangwon Province.
The City of Wonsan (Wonsan-si) is divided into 45 tong (neighborhoods) and 14 ri (villages):
- Changchon-dong
- Changdŏk-dong
- Changsan-dong
- Chŏkchŏn-dong
- Chŏnjin-dong
- Chungchŏng-dong
- Haean-dong
- Haebang 1-dong
- Haebang 2-dong
- Kaesŏn-dong
- Kalma-dong
- Kwangsŏk-dong
- Kwanphung-dong
- Myŏngsasimri-dong
- Myŏngsŏk-dong
- Naewŏnsan-dong
- Namsan-dong
- Panghasan-dong
- Pogmak-dong
- Poha-dong
- Pongchun-dong
- Pongsu-dong
- Phyŏnghwa-dong
- Ryŏdo-dong
- Ryongha-dong
- Ryul-dong
- Sambong-dong
- Sang-dong
- Segil-dong
- Sinhŭng-dong
- Sinphung-dong
- Sinsŏng-dong
- Sŏgu-dong
- Sŏkhyŏn-dong
- Songchŏn-dong
- Songhŭng-dong
- Sŭngri-dong
- Tŏksŏng-dong
- Tongmyŏngsan-dong
- Thap-dong
- Wau-dong
- Wŏnnam 1-dong
- Wŏnnam 2-dong
- Wŏnsŏk-dong
- Yangji-dong
- Changrim-ri
- Chuksal-li
- Chungp'yŏng-ri
- Chilbong-ri
- Chunsan-ri
- Hyŏndong-ri
- Namchŏn-ri
- Raksu-ri
- Ryongchŏn-ri
- Samthae-ri
- Sangja-ri
- Sinsŏng-ri
- Susang-ri
- Yŏngsam-ri
Transportation
[change | change source]Road and rail
[change | change source]The district of Wonsan is served by several stations on the Kangwon Line of the Korean State Railway.[2]
A trolleybus system with two lines is currently in operation in Wonsan.[3] The system opened on September 8, 1988, from Wonsan station to Changchon-dong.[3] In 2020, there were three new trolleybus lines under construction in the city, which is aimed to prevent air pollution[3]
Urban transit (Tram)
[change | change source]Wonsan Tram was a tourist tram system that was opened in 2025. It consists of one line.[4]
Air
[change | change source]
Wonsan is served by Kalma Airport (IATA: WOS, ICAO: ZKWS). Kalma Airport is a dual-use civilian and military use airport. Air Koryo connects Wonsan to Pyongyang Sunan International Airport. A new international terminal was built in 2015.[5]
Sea
[change | change source]
Wonsan was the terminus of the Mangyongbong-92 ferry that operated between Wonsan and Niigata. In 2006, This service was canceled when Japan banned North Korean ships in Japanese waters.[6]
Tourism
[change | change source].jpg)
Wonsan is a popular tourism destination for both Koreans and international visitors. Attractions include Songdowon beach, Masikryong Ski Resort, Songdowon International Children's Union Camp, Wonsan Special Tourist Zone, Sokwangsa Temple, Lake Sijung, Sinphyong-Kumgang Scenic Site, Ullim Falls, and Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area.[7]
Sister cities
[change | change source]- Sakaiminato, Tottori,
Japan (1992–2006)[8] - Puebla,
Mexico[9] - Vladivostok,
Russia[10]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ North, 38 (2011-01-19). "City Spotlight: Wonsan". 38 North. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
{{cite web}}:|first=has numeric name (help) - ↑ "Wonsan Train Station | North Korea Travel Guide - Koryo Tours". koryogroup.com. 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
- 1 2 3 "Public transport goes environment friendly in Wonsan". The Pyongyang Times. Archived from the original on 2021-07-08. Retrieved 2020-11-17. Alt URL
- ↑ "North Korea opens beach resort tramway". www.mainspring.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
- ↑ Grisafi, John (30 July 2015). "Wonsan Airport nears completion, with potential for impact on tourism and economy". NK News. Archived from the original on 16 June 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- ↑ https://www.washingtontimes.com, The Washington Times. "Ferry ban turns tide on Korean smuggling". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
{{cite web}}: External link in|last= - ↑ "North Korea has opened a new tourist zone. The only thing missing — foreign tourists". ABC News. 2025-06-26. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
- ↑ Vyas, Utpal (2010). Soft Power in Japan-China Relations: State, Sub-state and Non-state Relations. Oxon: Routledge. p. 107. ISBN 978-1-136-85896-3.
- ↑ "Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores - Gobierno - gob.mx" (PDF). www.sre.gob.mx. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-06-27. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
- ↑ "Kim Jong Il Holds Third Summit Talks with Putin during Tour of Far Eastern Region of Russia". The People's Korea. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016.