port city, South Chŏlla do (province), southwestern South Korea. On the tip of Muan Peninsula, at the southwestern end of the Korean Peninsula, it is the door to Honam Plain, the largest granary in the country. During the Chosŏn (Yi) dynasty (1392–1910), it was a navy base and was opened to foreign trade in 1879. In 1955 the port was redeveloped with the expansion of its harbour facilities. The sea off the coast, with some 1,430 islands within the area, provides good fishing grounds. Mokp'o is a rail and road terminus connected with Seoul through Taejŏn. Its principal industries are the manufacture of marine products and salt chemicals. Mokp'o Junior Teachers' College (1964) is located there. Pop. (1985) 236,085; (1990) 243,064.