Wonsan opened as a trade port in 1880. Its original name was
Wŏnsanjin but it was also known by the Russian name of Port Lazarev (Lazaref).
Under Japanese rule (1910-45) it was called Gensan . In 1914 the Pyongwon
Line and Gyeongwon Line railways were opened, connecting the
city to Pyongyang (then known as Heijo) and Seoul(then Kyongsong).
Thus, the city gradually developed into the eastern product distribution
center. Under the Japanese occupation, the city was heavily industrialized and
served as an import point in the distribution of trade between Korea and
mainland Japan
