IRI

city, Cholla-pukto (North Cholla Province), western South Korea, 16 mi (26 km) east of the port city of Kunsan. In the northern part of the Honam-p'yongya (plain), the largest granary of South Korea, it is the market centre for the agricultural products, particularly rice, of the area. The city is also the transportation junction of rail lines leading to Mokp'o, Mok'o, Taejon, and Kunsan. Despite its location, the city is underdeveloped industrially because of the lack of water. Such agricultural research organizations as the Agriculture Agency and Land Improvement Association are located there, as is Wongwang University (1953). Pop. (1980 prelim.) 145,358.