Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.
The Yalu River a century ago
Harvesting ice, circa 1920s.
By Robert Neff
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Yalu River during summer was dotted with junks and small boats sailing goods to and from Korea and China.
Great rafts of logs were floated down from the forests in the mountainous regions and were piled up along the banks to await transport to sawmills. The Yalu River timber was ― to a degree ― the catalyst for the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5.
As can be seen in these images, the river was relatively shallow and often froze during winter. This allowed ice to be harvested and it was used in communities on both sides of the river.
The Yalu River Bridge in winter, circa 1914.
The river was easily crossed during winter on foot and in summer by boat but it was rather impractical for trade. In 1911, the Japanese built a 944-meter bridge to facilitate trade and travel (via the railroad) between China and Korea.
Travel between the two countries was physically easier but politics made it just as difficult, if not more so, as it was in the past. Japanese authorities scrutinized passports and tickets, preventing the undesirable from entering or leaving Korea.
Despite the changes that have occurred over the past century, the Yalu River remains an uncrossable North Korean boundary from which those within can look out and those without can look in.
If a river can change its course, why can't politics?
Sleds and police on the Yalu River, circa 1910s-1930s.
Transporting the ice, circa 1920-1930s.
Ice skating on the Yalu River, circa 1920s.