Onsong

Onsong
Chosŏn'gŭl	온성군
Hancha	穩城郡
McCune–Reischauer	Onsŏng kun
Revised Romanization	Onseong-gun
Statistics
Area	430 km2 (166 sq mi)
Population (1991)	134,524 (est.)
Population density	312.8/km2 (810.3/sq mi)
Administrative divisions	1 ŭp;, 10 workers' districts, 15 ri

Onsŏng is a county (kun) in North Hamgyong Province, North Korea, located near the border with China. The administrative center is the town (ŭp) of Onsong. Onsong is the alleged site of the former Onsong concentration camp, now closed.

History

Onsong was one of the six post/garrisons (Chosŏn'gŭl: 육진; Hancha: 六鎭) established under the order of Sejong the Great of Joseon (1418–1450) to safeguard his people from the hostile Chinese and Manchurian nomads living in Manchuria.

Geography

Onsong lies along the Tumen River, which forms the border with China. To the north of Onsong is Jilin Province, China. Onsong also contains the northernmost point in Korea, at 43°0'39″ N. Liangshui (Chosŏn'gŭl: 량수진; Hancha: 凉水鎮), in Tumen prefecture, is the closest Chinese town across the river.

The land of Onsong is mainly mountainous, although a part is flatland. It has a continental climate, and is the region of Korea with the longest winter, except the Kaema Plateau. The highest peak is Yŏndubong.

Economy

Being mountainous in nature, Onsong is not well suited to agriculture. Ironically, however, it has the highest ratio of rice paddies to dry fields of any district in North Hamgyong Province. Logging is prevalent in the Tumen River basin. Lignite coal is also produced.

Transportation

Onsong is served by roads and railroads. In winter, it is also possible to cross the frozen Tumen River into China.

Third-level administrative divisions

Onsong County is divided into 1 town ("Ŭp") 15 villages ("Ri") and 10 worker's districts ("Rodongjagu").

	Chosŏn'gŭl	Hancha
Onsŏng-ŭp	온성읍	穩城邑
Namyang-rodongjagu	남양노동자구	南陽勞動者區
Ontan-rodongjagu	온탄노동자구	穩炭勞動者區
Sanghwa-rodongjagu	상화노동자구	上和勞動煮區
Chuwon-rodongjagu	주원노동자구	周原勞動者區
Pungin-rodongjagu	풍인노동자구	豊仁勞動者區
Chongsong-rodongjagu	종성노동자구	鍾城勞動者區
Changpyong-rodongjagu	창평노동자구	蒼坪勞動者區
Tongpo-rodongjagu	동포노동자구	東浦勞動者區
Sansong-rodongjagu	산성노동자구	山城勞動者區
Sambong-rodongjagu	삼봉노동자구	三峰勞動者區
Pungha-ri	풍하리	豊利里
Pungso-ri	풍서리	豊西里
Seson-ri	세선리	世仙里
Hyangdang-ri	향당리	香堂里
Ryongnam-ri	룡남리	龍南里
Wangjaesan-ri	왕재산리
Misan-ri	미산리	美山里
Tulubong-ri	두루봉리
Kangan-ri	강안리	江岸里
Yonggang-ri	영강리	永江里
Pungchon-ri	풍천리	豊川里
Hasambong-ri	하삼봉리	下三峰里
Punggye-ri	풍계리	豊溪里
Unam-ri	운암리	雲岩里
Chungsan-ri	증산리	甑山里

Notables personalities

• Yang Dae-su (Chosŏn'gŭl: 양대수; Hancha: 楊大樹)
• Shin Rip (Chosŏn'gŭl: 신립; Hancha: 申砬), the prefect of Onsong (Chosŏn'gŭl: 온성부사; Hancha: 穩城府使), before the Imjin War
• Jung You-ji (Chosŏn'gŭl: 정유지; Hancha: 鄭有智)
• Choi Gwan (Chosŏn'gŭl: 최관; Hancha: 崔寬)
• Go Gyung-jin (Chosŏn'gŭl: 고경진; Hancha: 高景軫)

External links

• Location of the four forts and the six posts
• Map of Onsong
• (Korean) In Korean language online encyclopedias:
  • Doosan Encyclopedia (Naver)
  • Korean language Britannica (Empas) (Map)
  • Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (Empas)
  • Pascal World Encyclopedia (Nate)

Coordinates: 42°57′20″N 129°59′30″E / 42.95556°N 129.99167°E / 42.95556; 129.99167