Rasŏn

Rasŏn (formerly Rajin-Sŏnbong; ) is a North Korean city and ice-free in the  in the  on the northeast tip of North Korea. It is in the region within the Rajin-Sonbong Economic Special Zone. In South Korean pronunciation, the initial "R" of the name is pronounced as "N," as per standard. In 2000 the name was shortened from "Rajin-Sŏnbong" to "Rasŏn". From 1993 to 2004 was administered separately from North Hamgyŏng as the Directly Governed City (Chikhalsi) of Rasŏn. 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 to its older designation as a "Directly Governed City". It is unclear what this means in practice. Rason borders of China and  of Russia. China is making investments in the port as it gives it access to the Sea of Japan. In July 2011, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) gave a green light to the China's domestic trade cargo to be shipped via its port of Rajin from northeast to east China. Coal is shipped from nearby Chinese mines to Shanghai. Until 2004 there was a casino by the sea which catered to Chinese visitors.

Administrative divisions
Rasŏn is divided into 1 ward ("Kuyŏk") and 1 ("Kun").
 * Rajin-guyŏk (라진구역; 羅津區域)
 * (선봉군; 先鋒郡)

Transport
Rajin Station is on the.
 * Rail

There is a paved road from in China. It is not possible for tourists to reach Rasŏn from Pyongyang by road.
 * Highway

External links and further reading

 * North Korea Uncovered (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.
 * "Why World Should Watch Rason" blog by John Kim & Andray Abrahamian on The Diplomat.Com December 22, 2011
 * "A Convergence of Interests: Prospects for Rason Special Economic Zone"
 * Law of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on the Rason Economic and Trade Zone. (English translation at the end)
 * Report by Chosen Exchange, September, 2011
 * Report by Chosen Exchange, August, 2012