Kimch'aek, formerly Sŏngjin (Chosŏn'gŭl: 성진, Hancha: 城津), is a city in North Hamgyong Province, North Korea. It was an open port in 1899. It has a population of 207,699.

Etymology

The city received its current name in 1951 during the Korean War, in honor of the Korean People's Army (KPA) general, Kim Chaek. It was known as Jōshin during Japanese rule between 1910 and 1945.

Climate

Kimchaek has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification: Dfb).

Administrative divisions

Kimch'aek-si is divided into 22 tong (neighbourhoods) and 22 ri (villages):

Economy

Kimchaek is an important port on the Sea of Japan (East Sea of Korea), and is home to an ironworks and the Kimch’aek Polytechnic Institute.

Transport

Kimchaek is on the Pyongra Line railway. The city has one trolleybus line, with a length of 9.1 km, running from Songnam-dong to Haksong-dong with the depot located in Sinpyong-dong.

Sport

Wŏlmido Sports Club, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of North Korea, play at the Kimchaek Municipal Stadium, which has a capacity of 30,000. The men's team plays in the DPR Korea Premier Football League, whilst the women's team plays in the DPR Korea Women's League.