Haeju

Haeju, city, capital of South Hwanghae do (province), southwestern North Korea. Situated on Haeju Bay, facing the Yellow Sea, it is the only port on the west coast of North Korea that does not freeze over in winter. Haeju was the centre for trade with China until the Kyŏngŭi rail line, constructed in 1906 from Seoul to Sinŭiju, on the border with Manchuria (northeastern China), bypassed it. With the Chaeryŏng plain (a granary area) nearby and Yŏnp’yŏng Island (a fishing ground for yellow corbina) facing the city, Haeju has developed as a market centre for agricultural and marine products. The most important industries are cement manufacturing and chemicals. The city has several technical schools. Pop. (2008) 241,599.