Imjin River

{{Short description|River in North and South Korea}} {{Infobox river | name = Imjin | native_name ={{native name|ko|임진강/림진강}} | name_etymology =  | image = Korea-Imjin River-01.jpg | image_caption = Bridge of Freedom crossing the Imjin. Located in Munsan, Paju, South Korea. | pushpin_map_caption = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 7  | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = [[North Korea]] ([[List of IOC country codes|PRK]]), [[South Korea]] ([[List of IOC country codes|ROK]]) | subdivision_type2 = Provinces | subdivision_name2 = [[Kangwon Province (North Korea)|Kangwon]] (PRK), [[North Hwanghae Province|North Hwanghae]] (PRK), [[Gyeonggi Province|Gyeonggi]] (ROK) | subdivision_name5 =  | length_km = 273.50 | length_ref = <ref name="rhms">{{cite web |url = http://rhms.river.go.kr/WebForms/sub_03/Books/한국하천일람(2012.12.31기준).pdf |script-title = ko:2013년 한국하천일람 |publisher = Han River Flood Control Office, Republic of Korea |pages = 112–113 |date = 31 December 2012 |trans-title=List of Rivers of South Korea, 2013 |access-date = 2 July 2014 |language = ko |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093159/http://rhms.river.go.kr/WebForms/sub_03/Books/%ED%95%9C%EA%B5%AD%ED%95%98%EC%B2%9C%EC%9D%BC%EB%9E%8C%282012.12.31%EA%B8%B0%EC%A4%80%29.pdf |archive-date = 4 March 2016 }}</ref> | discharge1_max =  | source1 = Turyu Mountain | source1_location = [[Poptong County|Poptong]], [[Kangwon Province (North Korea)|Kangwon Province]], North Korea | mouth = [[Han River (Korea)|Han River]] | mouth_location = [[Paju]], [[Gyeonggi Province]], South Korea | basin_size_km2 = 8138.90 | basin_size_ref = <ref name = "rhms" /> | extra = }} {{Infobox Korean name/auto |title=South Korean name |hangul=^임진강 |hanja =臨津江 |othername1=North Korean name |hangul1=^림진강 |hanja1 =臨津江 }}

The '''Imjin River''' ({{korean|hangul=임진강}}; South Korean spelling) or '''Rimjin''' ({{korean|hangul=림진강|labels=no|context=north}}; North Korean spelling) is the seventh-largest river in [[Korea]].<ref>[http://www.iyc21.net/_foreign/eng/m03/a03_b02_c01.asp Seven Famous Spots] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113175630/http://www.iyc21.net/_foreign/eng/m03/a03_b02_c01.asp |date=2014-01-13 }}, Yeoncheon County.</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2025}} It flows from north to south, crossing the [[Korean Demilitarized Zone|Demilitarized Zone]] and joining the [[Han River (Korea)|Han River]] downstream of [[Seoul]], near the [[Yellow Sea]].

The river is not the namesake of the [[Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598)|Imjin War]] (Japanese invasions in the late 16th century).

== History == Imjin River was the site of two major battles: the [[Battle of Imjin River (1592)|Battle of Imjin River]] during the [[Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598)|Imjin war]] in 1592, and the [[Battle of the Imjin River]] that took place during the [[Korean War]].

===Joint Use Zone=== On November 4, 2018, a 20-member team consisting of 10 people from North Korea and 10 people from South Korea began a joint inter-Korean survey intended to lead to the development a Joint Utilization Zone along Imjin River's [[estuary]].<ref name=nov4>{{Cite web | url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20181105001451315 |title = (LEAD) Koreas begin joint waterway survey along western border|date = 5 November 2018}}</ref><ref name=nov4again>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/9yN3QUUXNik Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200401181159/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yN3QUUXNik&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yN3QUUXNik| title = Two Koreas begin joint waterway inspection on shared use of Hangang River Estuary | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The Zone would allow civilians to access the estuary for tourism, ecological protection and the collection of [[construction aggregate]] under the protection of militaries from both sides of the Korean border.<ref name=nov4 /><ref name=nov4again /> On November 5, 2018, the councils of South Korea's [[Gangwon Province, South Korea|Gangwon]] and [[Gyeonggi Province|Gyeonggi]] provinces, which border the DMZ, signed a “peace working agreement” at Dorasan Station in Paju, giving local approval to the Joint Utilization Zone.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/869084.html |title = South and North launch joint hydrographic survey of Han and Imjin estuaries}}</ref> The inter-Korean survey of Imjin River's estuary was completed on December 9, 2018.<ref name=dec9>{{Cite web | url=http://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=141417 |title = Two Koreas Complete Joint Waterway Survey of River Estuaries l KBS WORLD Radio}}</ref> The new map of the river's estuary, which consists of newly discovered reefs, was to be made public by January 25, 2019.<ref name=dec9 />

== Characteristics == {{Unreferenced section|date=June 2019}} [[Image:Imjin river 1889.jpeg|thumb|left|Ferry across Imjin River in 1889]] The active channel of Imjin River uses only about 150 to 200 feet of the {{convert|1200|ft|m|-1|adj=on}} width of the dry riverbed that it runs through, which is bordered by almost vertical rock cliffs standing approximately {{convert|75|ft|m|0}} above the mean low water level. It gives no indication in normal times of the tremendous power it develops when in flood. During the Korean [[Wet season|rainy season]] of July and August, the Imjin becomes a raging torrent, largely confined by its steep rocky banks. Fed by its larger tributaries and many small mountain streams, it reaches flood heights of {{convert|48|ft|m|0}} above mean water level and a velocity of 15 to {{convert|20|ft/s|m/s|0}}. The rapid runoff of approximately 95 percent of precipitation during heavy general rains has caused Imjin, on occasion, to rise at a rate of more than six feet per hour.

During the severe Korean winter, icy winds sweep down the Imjin; the sub-zero temperatures cause thick ice to form on the river. Fluctuations in the level of the river, particularly tidal action in the lower reaches, break up this ice, and large amounts of floe ice pile up against any obstacle in the channel.

Many in South Korea nickname Imjin as the "River of the Dead" as in the past, large numbers of dead bodies have floated down the river from the North. The most recent occurrence was during the [[North Korean famine|major famine]] of the 1990s when millions of North Koreans are believed to have starved to death.

== In popular culture == In the popular novel ''[[MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors]]'', the American 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital ("MASH") unit is located close to a branch of the Imjin River.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hooker|first1=Richard|title=MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors (M*A*S*H)|date=12 June 2014|publisher=Hatchett Books|location=UK|isbn=978-1780228884|page=9|edition=First}}</ref>

Imjin River is the subject of a famous North Korean popular song, "Rimjingang", named after the river. It was composed in 1957 with lyrics written by North Korean poet [[Pak Se-yong]]. It is a well-known song in North Korea, as it refers to Imjin River as a symbol of freedom flowing from north to south. This song depicts the sadness of a divided homeland and alludes to the infamous history of the river. The song (as "Imujingawa") later became popular in Japan when it was covered by [[The Folk Crusaders]] and other artists.<ref>[https://mouonekorea.wordpress.com/2012/06/07/a-song-to-imjin-river/ A song to Imjin River], 7 June 2012</ref><ref>[https://preephiliapisti.wordpress.com/2014/03/11/imjin-river-river-where-tears-of-the-koreans-flow/ Imjin River: River where tears of the Koreans flow], 11 March 2014</ref> It remains popular among Korean communities worldwide, as a song of hope that the Korean people will once again be united and free.

== See also == * [[Hantan River]] * [[Han River (Korea)|Han River]] * [[List of rivers of Korea]] * [[Hwanggang Dam]]

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category|Imjin River}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130316155011/http://publications.usace.army.mil/publications/eng-pamphlets/EP_870-1-32/EP_870-1-32.pdf US Army (PDF)] * [http://www.imjinscout.com/BTI_Chapter1.html imjinscout.com]

{{Rivers of South Korea}} {{Authority control}} {{coord|37|47|N|126|40|E|display=title|region:KR_type:river_source:GNS-enwiki}}

[[Category:Rivers of South Korea]] [[Category:Rivers of North Korea]] [[Category:International rivers of Asia]] [[Category:North Korea–South Korea border]] [[Category:Biosphere reserves of South Korea]]