T’ongyŏng

T’ongyŏng, also spelled Tongyeong, city and port, South Kyŏngsang (Gyeongsang) do (province), southeastern South Korea. The city was created in 1995 when Ch’ungmu city was combined with T’ongyŏng county. Until it was made a municipality in 1955, Ch’ungmu was called T’ongyŏng, deriving its name from T’ongjeyŏng, which in Old Korean means “Headquarters.”

The port’s deep water and nearby large islands (such as Kŏje [Geoje], Hansan, and Mirŭk [Mireuk]), which screen the winds and waves, have made it a good harbour from early times. During the Chosŏn (Yi) dynasty (1392–1910) it was the headquarters of the Korean navy. Modern T’ongyŏng is a rail junction and port of call for shipping lines. The city’s principal economic activity is fishing, which is supported by the manufacture of marine products and by canning, shipbuilding, and net making. The city is also famous for its traditional lacquerwork inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The cultivation of pearl shellfish began in 1964. T’ongyŏng has many historical remains, and Hallyŏ (Hallyeo) Marine National Park (1968), which includes islands as well as mainland areas, is located nearby. Pop. (2010) 129,366.