Narrative
Full Description
Project narrative
On November 19, 2010 a joint agreement was signed for the development of both the Rason Special Economic Zone and the Hwanggumpyong and Wihwa Island Special Economic Zone (ID #66105). The nature and monetary value of the Chinese Government’s financial support for this project is unknown. The 746 km2 Rason Special Economic Zone is on the western side of the Tumen River in North Korea. It is between 42 08'-42 38'N and 130 07'-130 42'E. It is located in the easternmost end of the country, bordering Russia and China. According to North Korean Economy Watch, the area is surrounded by a 56-kilometer (35 mi) long electrified fence. On October 26, 2012, a formal groundbreaking ceremony took place. The Rason Special Economic Zone was opened by 2014.
Staff comments
This project is also known as the Sino-DPRK Economic Trade Zone Construction project. The Korean project title is 라진선봉 경제특구. The Chinese project title is 羅津先鋒自由經濟貿易地帶 or 羅津先鋒經濟特區.