Wŏnsan is a port city and naval base in southeastern North Korea. It is the capital of Kangwŏn Province. The population of the city is estimated to have been 331,000 in 2000. Notable people from Wŏnsan include Kim Ki Nam, diplomat and Secretary of the Workers' Party. Wonsan opened as a trade port in 1880. Its original name was Wŏnsanjin , but it was also known by the Russian name of Port Lazarev . Under Japanese rule it was called Gensan . In 1914 the Pyongwon Line and Gyeongwon Line railways were opened, connecting the city to Pyongyang and Seoul . Thus, the city... gradually developed into the eastern product distribution center. Under the Japanese occupation, the city was heavily industrialized and served as an import point in the distribution of trade between Korea and mainland Japan.
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| Country: | North Korea |
| Population: | 331,000 |
| Area: | 104 sq. mi. |
| Also known as: | Wonsan, North Korea, Wonsan, Kangwon-do |