Hungnam

Hungnam was a city in South Hamgyong province, North Korea, located on the coast of the Sea of Japan (East Sea of Korea). It is now part of the larger city of Hamhung following administrative reorganizations. Historically, Hungnam was significant as a major industrial center, particularly for its chemical production complex. It was also a crucial port city.

During the Korean War, Hungnam was the site of the Hungnam evacuation in December 1950. Faced with advancing Chinese forces, United Nations Command (UNC) forces, primarily composed of U.S. and South Korean troops, along with a large number of North Korean refugees, were evacuated from the port in what was one of the largest amphibious evacuations in military history. The operation rescued over 100,000 soldiers, 17,500 vehicles, and 350,000 tons of supplies, as well as over 98,000 civilian refugees.

Following the Korean War, Hungnam was rebuilt, largely with assistance from East Germany. While it is now administratively part of Hamhung, the legacy of Hungnam as a former significant industrial and transportation hub, and its role in the Korean War, remains a part of North Korean history.