MASAN

city, Kyongsang-nam do (province), southeastern South Korea. It is located on Masan Bay, across from Chinhae Bay, 22 miles (35 km) west of Pusan, with which it is connected by rail and road. After 1899 Masan developed as an open port, but it was closed in 1908 because it lay in a fortified naval zone. Masan's port was opened again in 1967. The city is the market centre for agricultural products from the Kimhae plain and the Nam-ch'on River valley and for marine products. Masan is also a service centre for the surrounding area. The main industries were formerly the manufacturing of marine products and the brewing of liquor; further industrial development has occurred with the construction of a thermoelectric plant and of machine, chemical, and textile factories. Masan has become one of the largest commercial and industrial cities in the province. The port has a free export zone. Pop. (1990 prelim.) 496,639.