Usi County

Usi County
우시군
Korean transcription(s)
 • Hanja雩時郡
 • McCune–ReischauerUsi-gun
 • Revised RomanizationUsi-gun
Map of Changang showing the location of Usi
Map of Changang showing the location of Usi
CountryNorth Korea
ProvinceChagang Province
Administrative divisions1 ŭp, 1 workers' district, 22 ri
Area
 • Total
665 km2 (257 sq mi)
Population
 (2008 census)
 • Total
42,919
 • Density65/km2 (170/sq mi)

Usi County is a kun, or county, in westernmost Chagang Province, North Korea. It looks across the Yalu River into the People's Republic of China. Within North Korea, it borders Chosan and Kopung to the east, Songwon to the south, and North Pyongan Province's Pyoktong county to the west. Originally part of Pyoktong, it was made a separate county in 1952 as part of a general reorganization of local government; in 1954, it was transferred from North Pyongan to Chagang.

There are no railroads in Usi, but it is connected by road to the neighboring districts of Chosan and Pyoktong, and beyond Pyoktong to Sinuiju. In addition, the Yalu is used for transportation. The stretch of the Yalu in Usi is part of the massive "Lake Supung", North Korea's largest reservoir.

The Yalu valley is farmed for rice, while the upland regions produce maize, potatoes, and sesame. There is little manufacturing. The county's Kaha-ri district is known for its medicinal waters.