Korean Political Geography

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Kaesong

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2008 | Copyright

Kaesong or Kaisong , Jap. Kaijo, city (1993 pop. 334,433), S North Korea. A long-time commercial center, it is important for its exports of ginseng, a valuable medicinal root. There is also active trade in rice, barley, and wheat. Textiles are made in the city, and there is some heavy industry. A special economic zone has been established where South Korean firms manufacture products for export; a highway connects the zone with South Korea.

In the 10th cent. Wang Kon, founder of the Koryo dynasty, made Kaesong his capital; the city, then called Songdo, remained Korea's capital until 1392, when the Choson (or Yi) dynasty moved the capital to Seoul. Intersected by the 38th parallel, Kaesong served as the main contact point between North and South Korea from 1945 to 1951 and passed from United Nations to North Korean forces several times during the Korean War. The armistice talks, first held at Kaesong, were later transferred to Panmunjom (Panmunjeom). Historic landmarks include the tombs of several Korean kings, the old city walls, and the remains of a royal palace from the Koryo period.

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Kaesŏng

Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names | 2005 | | Copyright

Kaesŏng, North Korea Kaegyŏng, Songak, Songdo Surrounded by pine‐covered mountains, the previous name meant ‘City of Pines’ from song ‘pine tree’ and do ‘city’ and before that ‘Pine Tree Peak’ after Mount Songak from ak ‘summit’ or ‘peak’. An old walled and fortified city, its present name means ‘Open City’ from kae ‘to open’ and sŏng ‘castle’ or, here, ‘castle‐city’. It was the capital of the Koryŏ dynasty (935–1392). The city lies just south of the 38th parallel and therefore was within the territory of South Korea when the country was divided in 1945. However, it was overrun by North Korean troops in 1950 and still held by them when the truce talks began in 1951. When the armistice was signed in 1953 the city was transferred permanently to North Korea.

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JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Kaesŏng." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Kaesŏng." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-Kaesng.html

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Kaesŏng." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-Kaesng.html

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Koryo

A Dictionary of World History | 2000 | Copyright

Koryo A Korean kingdom that gave its name to the whole country. From 986 its kings ruled a united Korea from their Chinese-style capital, Kaesong. Chinese influence was strong in the administration of the kingdom and Buddhism flourished. A period of disorder in the 12th century was checked after 1196 by military families with powers similar to those of the Japanese SHOGUNATE. Tributary to the SONG, Koryo also had to pay tribute to the Liao and JIN. After 1231 the Mongols repeatedly invaded and despoiled Koryo, which later depended entirely on YUAN support. After the overthrow of the Yuan, a Koryo general, Yi Song-gye, seized Kaesong and in 1392 established the Yi dynasty.

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"Koryo." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-Koryo.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	KAESONG FACTORY-APARTMENT OPENS NEW DOORS FOR INTER-KOREAN COOP. News Wire article from: AsiaPulse News; 10/23/2007
	KAESONG PROJECT CAN HELP COUNTER N. KOREA RELIANCE ON CHINA: OFFICIAL. News Wire article from: AsiaPulse News; 4/19/2006
	An economic perspective of Kaesong industrial complex in North Korea. Magazine article from: American Journal of Applied Sciences; 11/1/2007