Donghae Bukbu Line (1929–1945)

The Donghae Bukbu Line (동해북부선, 東海北部線) was a railway line located in what is now North Korea, constructed during the Japanese colonial period. It was built as part of the broader Chosen Government Railway (Sentetsu) network. The line ran along the eastern coast of the Korean peninsula, north of the modern-day Military Demarcation Line, and served primarily to transport natural resources and passengers within the northern regions.

Construction began in 1929, and the line was progressively extended northward, with the segment being completed in stages up until 1945. Its purpose was to exploit the mineral wealth and forestry resources of the Hamgyong region. It connected various towns and industrial sites along the coast, contributing to the economic development of the area under Japanese rule, although it also facilitated the extraction of resources for Japan's benefit.

Following the end of World War II and the division of Korea in 1945, the Donghae Bukbu Line was split. The southern portion became part of South Korea's rail network, while the northern section became part of the Korean State Railway in North Korea. The division of the Korean peninsula and the Korean War significantly impacted railway operations, and large sections of the Donghae Bukbu Line in North Korea were damaged or abandoned. Today, remnants of the line may exist, but operational status and precise details are difficult to confirm due to limited access and information from North Korea. The line's historical significance lies in its role during the Japanese colonial period and its subsequent fragmentation due to the geopolitical division of Korea.