North Korean Economy Watch

The most authoritative map of North Korea on Google Earth
North Korea Uncovered: Version 6
Download it here

This map covers North Korea’s agriculture, aviation, cultural locations, manufacturing facilities, railroad, energy infrastructure, politics, sports venues, military establishments, religious facilities, leisure destinations, and national parks. It is continually expanding and undergoing revisions. This is the sixth version.

Additions to the newest version of North Korea Uncovered include: Alleged Syrian nuclear site (before and after bombing), Majon beach resort, electricity grid expansion, Runga Island in Pyongyang, Mt. Ryongak, Yongbyon historical fort walls, Suyang Fort walls and waterfall in Haeju, Kaechon-Lake Taesong water project, Paekma-Cholsan waterway, Yachts (3), and Hyesan Youth Copper Mine.

Disclaimer: I cannot vouch for the authenticity of many locations since I have not seen or been to them, but great efforts have been made to check for authenticity. These efforts include pouring over books, maps, conducting interviews, and keeping up with other peoples’ discoveries. In many cases, I have posted sources, though not for all. This is a thorough compilation of lots of material, but I will leave it up to the reader to make up their own minds as to what they see. I cannot catch everything and I welcome contributions.

Version 5: Download it here (on Google Earth) 

This map covers North Korea’s agriculture, aviation, cultural locations, manufacturing facilities, railroad, energy infrastructure, politics, sports venues, military establishments, religious facilities, leisure destinations, and national parks. It is continually expanding and undergoing revisions. This is the fifth version.

Additions to the latest version of “North Korea Uncovered” include updates to new Google Earth overlays of Sinchon, UNESCO sites, Railroads, canals, and the DMZ, in addition to Kim Jong Suk college of eduation (Hyesan), a huge expansion of the electricity grid (with a little help from Martyn Williams) plus a few more parks, antiaircraft sites, dams, mines, canals, etc.

Disclaimer: I cannot vouch for the authenticity of many locations since I have not seen or been to them, but great efforts have been made to check for authenticity. These efforts include pouring over books, maps, conducting interviews, and keeping up with other peoples’ discoveries. In many cases, I have posted sources, though not for all. This is a thorough compilation of lots of material, but I will leave it up to the reader to make up their own minds as to what they see. I cannot catch everything and I welcome contributions.

I hope this map will increase interest in North Korea. There is still plenty more to learn, and I look forward to receiving your additions to this project.

The most authoritative, publicly available map of North Korea
Version 4: August 29, 2007

Download it here 

This map covers North Korea’s agriculture, aviation, cultural locations, manufacturing facilities, railroad, energy infrastructure, politics, sports venues, military establishments, religious facilities, leisure destinations, and national parks. It is continually expanding and undergoing revisions. This is the fourth version.

Additions to the latest version of “North Korea Uncovered” include the city of Manpo along the Chinese border, KEDO, Kumgang Resort expansion, Kaesong Industrial Zone, as well as a few more parks, antiaircraft sites, dams, mines, canals, etc. I have also added more links in the menu which will tell the viewer a bit about the locations themselves. I have also changed the color scheme to make the collage easier to view.

Disclaimer: I cannot vouch for the authenticity of many locations since I have not seen or been to them, but great efforts have been made to check for authenticity. These efforts include pouring over books, maps, conducting interviews, and keeping up with other peoples’ discoveries. In many cases, I have posted sources, though not for all. This is a thorough compilation of lots of material, but I will leave it up to the reader to make up their own minds as to what they see. I cannot catch everything and I welcome contributions.

I hope this map will increase interest in North Korea. There is still plenty more to learn, and I look forward to receiving your additions to this project.

Daily NK
Park Hyun Min
8/20/2007

From August 7th to 14th North Korea was faced with severe flooding which inflicted massive damages throughout the nation. It seems that part of Pyongyang subway station has also been submerged in water, one area that was constructed with security reasons in mind.

Regarding this one South Korea governmental official said, “The area around Pyongyang has experienced severe damages due to the flooding that was caused by the rain” and “As for the subway stations, operations have been suspended for 3~4 of the stations past Kaeson and Buheung station.”

Pyongyang subway was constructed with close attention to security and was first opened in September 1973. It is connected to underground military facilities and as a result, even plays the role of bunker. The entrance to the platforms are 60~80tons thick and built of materials such as zinc, enough to withstand even a nuclear explosion.

North Korea’s subway system consists of two lines: the South-North “Choenrima-Line” the intersecting East-West “Hyukshin-Line.” The interior of the subway stations are decorated with chandeliers and marble, and the stations have been extravagantly designed with mosaic walls representing the revolution, often called the “underground palace” or “underground Pyongyang.” Hence, Pyongyang station is one of the essential sightseeing destinations for foreign visitors.

In particular, “Buheung station” and “Yongkwang station” both flooded by the rain were known as most opulently designed stations to the point that foreign tourists actually enjoyed the subway ride between these destinations.

In addition, reports suggest that Pyongyang subway station was not only touched by the water but rather significantly damaged by the rain.

The “Revolutionary Capital” Pyongyang was designed deep into the underground for security reasons. However, the fact that this city has been submerged in water is in a way a security escape for the U.S. who has been targeted by North Korea with nuclear threats.

A researcher for the Korean Institute for Defense Analysis Kim Tae Woo said, “This natural disaster has exposed the fragility of North Korea’s obscure and useless defense concept” and “Although North Korea built the subway station in preparation for a nuclear attack, the U.S. was already in the process of developing neutralizing technology.”

Further he said, “Moreover, the bitter fact is that North Korea’s economy has been sacrificed to build this subway deep into the underground for protection” and criticized, “The subway station which should act as an affordable form of transportation for many of the people has not been able to fulfill its role.”