Hamhung

Hamhŭng is the second-most populous city in North Korea. It serves as a vital industrial hub and a major port city. The city is also the capital of South Hamgyŏng Province. It sits on the eastern side of the Hamhŭng plain. The Ch'ŏngch'ŏn River flows past the city on its left branch.

Nearby, the Sea of Japan influences the local environment. This proximity to the sea creates a humid continental climate. This means the summers are warm and humid. The winters are moderately cold and dry. Because of the ocean, winters are warmer here than in western areas. These warmer temperatures help people grow various crops.

The city has a very long history. It was recorded as Hamju in the year 1108. In 1369, it was known as Hamjumok. The city received its current name, Hamhŭng, in 1416. This happened when it was promoted to a 'bu'. The name includes a Chinese character that means to prosper. In 1400, Yi Seong-gye retired to the city. He was the founder of the Yi dynasty. Later, the city was called Kankō during Japanese rule from 1910 to 1945. It was liberated by the Red Army on 22 August 1945.

War brought great destruction to the city. During the Korean War, American air raids occurred. These raids destroyed between 80% and 90% of Hamhŭng. ROK troops occupied the city for a short time in 1950.

To fix this, a massive reconstruction project began. From 1955 to 1962, East Germany helped rebuild the city. A team called the German Working Group, or DAG, arrived in 1955. They included about 175 members. Konrad Püschel was the first Head of City Planning. This group trained local engineers, architects, and city planners.

The project ended two years early due to the Sino-Soviet conflict.

Today, Hamhŭng is much more economically diverse than other North Korean cities. It is a major center for the chemical industry. The city also acts as a large port for foreign trade. Many different goods are produced here. These include metalware, machinery, and refined oil. The city also produces processed food and textiles. A large enterprise called the 2.8 vinalon union enterprise is located here. Vinalon is a specific type of textile produced in the city. Rural areas around the city use land for farming. Most of these lands are used as paddies for crops.

Transportation in Hamhŭng is very well-developed. The city is a hub that connects northern areas to eastern ports. Hamhung Station sits on the Pyongra Line railway. There is also an airport called Sondok Airport. The city uses a large trolleybus network. This network first opened in 1973 with the Hoyang-Doksong line. In 1991, two more intercity lines opened. These lines connect Hamhung station to the Hungnam area. One branch goes to Hungdok, and the other goes to Ryongsong. In 2013, the city used 28 trolleybuses to serve these lines.

Culture and education are very important in the city. Hamhŭng is home to the Hamhŭng Grand Theatre. This is the largest theatre in North Korea.

There is also a national museum located there. Many students attend local universities to study specialized subjects. These include the Hamhung University of Pharmacy and the Hamhung University of Medicine. There is also a university for the chemical industry. In 2018, the South Hamgyong Sci-Tech Library opened. It is the largest facility of its kind outside of Pyongyang.

The city has also faced significant hardships. During the North Korean famine of the 1990s, Hamhŭng suffered greatly. Some reports say it was the city most devastated by the famine. One survivor claimed that more than 10% of the population died. Another 10% of the people fled to find food. Many children in the city suffered from malnutrition. In 1995, a group of soldiers marched toward Pyongyang. This was a rare challenge to the government. The revolt was eventually quelled and the unit was disbanded. While once closed, foreign travelers can now visit through approved tour operators.