Kaesŏng 개성시 |
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Municipal City with special status | |
개성특급시 | |
Korean transcription(s) | |
• Chosŏn'gŭl | |
• Hancha | |
• McCune–Reischauer | Kaesŏng-T'ŭkkŭpsi |
• Revised Romanization | Gaeseong-Teukgeupsi |
The old town in Kaesong
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Nickname(s): Songdo (송도/松都) (Korean) "City of Pines " |
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Country | North Korea |
Province | North Hwanghae Province |
Settled | c. 700 |
Administrative divisions | 24 dong, 3 ri |
Area | |
• Total | 1,309 km2 (505 sq mi) |
Population (2009) | |
• Total | 192,578 |
• Dialect | Gyeonggi |
Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong | |
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Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List | |
Location | North Korea |
Type | Cultural |
Criteria | ii, iii |
Reference | 1278 |
UNESCO region | Asia-Pacific |
Inscription history | |
Inscription | 2013 (37th Session) |
Kaesong (Gaeseong; Korean pronunciation: [kɛsʰʌŋ]) is a city in North Hwanghae Province in the southern part of North Korea, a former Directly-Governed City, and the capital of Korea during the Taebong kingdom and subsequent Goryeo dynasty. The city is near the Kaesong Industrial Region close to the border with South Korea and contains the remains of the Manwoldae palace. Called Songdo while it was the ancient capital of Goryeo, the city prospered as a trade centre that produced Korean ginseng. Kaesong now functions as the DPRK's light industry centre. It was also known by the Japanese pronunciation of its name, "Kaijō", during the Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945.
Due to the city's proximity to the border with South Korea, Kaesong hosts cross-border economic exchanges between the two countries as well as the jointly-run Kaesong Industrial Region.
As of 2009 the city had a population of 192,578.
The earliest archaeological signs of habitation in the Kaesong area date from the Neolithic. Artifacts such as Jeulmun pottery, stone ware, and stone axes have been excavated from Osongsan and Kaesong Nasong, the double-walled fortress of Kaesong. As Kaesong has been occupied by various states throughout centuries, its name has changed. It was in the realm of Mahan confederacy, and was referred to as Busogap during the rule of Goguryeo. Before the strength of Baekje was retreated to the southwest of Jungnyeong, Mungyeong Saejae, and Asan Bay in 475, the area had been a part of Baekje for about 100 years.