QUELPART (CHAI-Ju), an island to the south of Korea, used as a Korean penal settlement. It measures 4o m. from east to west and 17 from north to south. It rises gradually from the seaboard, is heavily wooded and is cleared for cultivation to a height of 2,000 f t. There are several crateriform hills, and Hali San (Mount Auckland) has an altitude of 6,558 ft. The island is entirely volcanic, and the soil is finely disintegrated lava.
The estimated population is II5,000, Korean by race, language and costume. There are about ninety villages. The valleys and slopes are carefully cultivated in fields divided by stone walls. Apart from agriculture, the industries consist in the manufacture of fine bamboo hats and mats, and wooden combs for export and local use. For fishing the islanders use double-decked raft boats, similar to those of southern Formosa. Their lucrative pearl fisheries have been practically monopolized by the Japanese, who use proper diving apparatus. A valuable product is a species of clam, the shell of which furnishes a specially iridescent mother o'-pearl, which the natives barter with the Japanese for inlaying lacquer. European goods are not imported, but Japanese articles
find ready barter. There are no markets, and few shops.
Chu-sung, the capital and seat of government, a few miles from Port Pelto, has a black lava wall 25 ft. high, with three gates and towers ; an imposing audience-hall in Chinese style ; and a great bell tower, with a fine bronze bell, sounded to drive off "evil dragons." Its population is estimated at 17,000. The governor has a hereditary antiquated army for coercive purposes.
There are no good harbours, and the only anchorage for large vessels is Taichung, or Yung-su, at the east end, with 9 to 13 fathoms of water. Pelto has ancient breakwaters for the protec tion of small boats, erected probably by the Mongol conqueror, (ublai Khan, who in 1273 built on Quelpart one hundred ships for the invasion of Japan.