city, Kyŏngsang-puk do (province), south-central South Korea. It lies 43 miles (69 km) northwest of Taegu. During the Yi dynasty (1392–1910) the city was one of the most important market towns of the country. It is now a service centre for the surrounding area. Kimch'ŏn is also a transportation junction located on the Naktong River at its intersection with the Kyŏngbuk and Kyongpu rail lines and with roads connecting the surrounding provinces. The highway between Seoul and Pusan also passes through the city. Pop. (1990) 81,346.