Musu Point


Musu Point or Musu Dan is a North Korean headland in the middle of the country's eastern coast along the Sea of Japan. It forms the eastern side of North Hamgyong's Hwadae County and the northern point of East Korea Bay.

Names

In the 19th century, Musu Point was variously known as or. It was known in Korean as. During the Japanese occupation of Korea, it was known as

Geography

Musu Point is a promontory consisting of high reddish cliffs projecting boldly south but tapering down to the sea at its apex, which marks the northern end of East Korea Bay. It also forms the eastern end of a narrow but deep bay extending about west to Yongdae Gap. The peak of the mountain forming the cape has been reckoned as.
A rock high lies just south of the point. Another, considered to resemble two crouching dogs when approached from the north or south, lies just off the coast to its north.
The area is subject to abnormal magnetic variations.

History

The Japanese passenger ship Koshun Maru, operated by the OSK Line, was wrecked off the point in 1910. Musu Dan Lighthouse, rising from near the cape's south extremity, was first erected the next year. The white structure is still active, but closed to the public. The American National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency notes, however, that "the existence and operation of all navigational aids should be considered unreliable on the east coast of North Korea".

Citations