TUMEN RIVER

Korean Tuman-gang river, forming the northeastern frontier of North Korea with China and Russia. It originates in the frontier Mount Paektu (Chinese: Pai-t'ou; 9,003 feet ), the highest mountain in Korea, and flows with its short tributaries through narrow gorges east-northeast to Hoeryong, north to Onsong, and southeast to the Sea of Japan (East Sea). Flowing swiftly through mountainous, heavily forested districts, it is the third longest river in Korea, with a length of 324 miles (521 km); but its drainage basin is only 4,059 square miles (10,513 square km), and the plain area is formed only downstream, in the southeast. It is navigable for only 53 miles (85 km). The districts through which it flows contain mining industries. Upstream, near Musan, iron is found; in the middle course near Chongsong, Onsong, and Aoji, there is brown coal; and downstream is the country's best district for mineral resources. Unggi, near the river's mouth, is connected by railway to Kraskino, Russia. Along the river's banks are many historic battle sites.