HAEJU

city, 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 Ky ong-Ui rail line, constructed in 1906 from Seoul to Sinuiju, on the border with Manchuria, bypassed it. With the Chaeryong plain (a granary area) nearby and Yonp'yong 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. (1980 UN est.) 213,000.