Archive for the ‘Architecture’ Category
Friday, December 14th, 2007
The most authoritative map of North Korea on Google Earth
North Korea Uncovered v.7
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 latest version of “North Korea Uncovered” include: A Korean War folder featuring overlays of US attacks on the Sui Ho Dam, Yalu Bridge, and Nakwon Munitians Plant (before/after), plus other locations such as the Hoeryong Revolutionary Site, Ponghwa Revolutionary Site, Taechon reactor (overlay), Pyongyang Railway Museum, Kwangmyong Salt Works, Woljong Temple, Sansong Revolutionary Site, Jongbansan Fort and park, Jangsan Cape, Yongbyon House of Culture, Chongsokjong, Lake Yonpung, Nortern Limit Line (NLL), Sinuiju Old Fort Walls, Pyongyang open air market, and confirmed Pyongyang Intranet nodes.
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.
Posted in Architecture, Art, Automobiles, Aviation, Cell phones, Civil society, Coal, Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, Communications, Computing/IT, Construction, Dams/hydro, Department Store No. 1, Education, Electricity, Email, Energy, Film, Finance, Football (soccer), Forestry, Gambling, General markets (FMR: Farmers Market), Golf, Google Earth, Hana Electronics Company, Health care, Hoteling, Hwanggumphyong and Wihwado Economic Zones (Sinuiju), Hyesan Youth Cooper Mine, International Aid, Internet, Intranet, Juche, Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC), Kim Chaek University of Technology, Kim Il Sung University, Korea Computer Center (KCC), Korean Buddhist Association, Korean People's Army, Light Industry, Lumber, Mansudae creative Company (art studio), Manufacturing, Mass games, Maternity Hospital, Military, Mining/Minerals, Ministry of foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Trade, Mt. Kumgang Tourist Special Zone, Musan Mine, Nuclear, Pyongyang Embroidery Institute, Pyongyang Film Studio, Pyongyang Informatics Center (PIC), Pyongyang International Information Center of New Techn, Pyongyang International Trade Fair, Pyongyang Metro, Pyongyang University of Medicine, Radio, Railways, Rason Economic and Trade Zone (Rajin-Sonbong), Real estate, Religion, Restaurants, Sea shipping, Sports, Television, Transportation, Wind | Comments Closed
Tuesday, December 11th, 2007
Korea Times
Ryu Jin
12/11/2007
Namkwang Engineering & Construction, a South Korean company which has recently been stepping up efforts for inter-Korean economic projects, plans to form a joint venture with a North Korean firm for construction works in the North and other countries.
Namkwang E&C CEO Lee Dong-chul told reporters Tuesday that his company, along with 516 Construction Company in the North, will seek to win construction orders in foreign countries including Angola as well as North Korean cities such as Gaeseong and Pyongyang.
“We signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for joint projects with the North Korean firm late last month,’’ he said in a press meeting. “They could be operated in the form of a joint venture, depending on the final agreement to be signed early next year.’’
Lee added that Namkwang would largely provide capital and construction technologies to the proposed joint-venture company while the North Korean firm would supply labor.
Founded about 50 years ago, 516 Construction Company is the only construction firm in the North Korean border city of Gaeseong where an inter-Korean industrial complex is located. It has constructed apartments in the city with more than 3,000 workers.
“Currently, the firm is building a steel-frame factory in the Gaeseong Industrial Complex including reinforced concrete, tiles and plaster work under a contract with us,’’ Lee said. “Maybe we can take part in construction works in Angola and Libya jointly.’’
Namkwang, which recently got government approval for cross-border projects, has invested some 7.6 billion won ($8.23 million) since October to build the steel-frame factory which would be used for the second-phase construction of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex.
Lee said that his company would also redouble efforts to get more orders for overseas construction in such countries as Angola, Libya and Vietnam next year. Namkwang has received orders worth $1.1 billion along with NIEC, a joint venture in Angola, since 2005.
Established in 1947, Namkwang has carried out a lot of large-scale projects in South Korea and also advanced to foreign countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the Philippines for construction of buildings, roads, dams and harbors on the back of its unique technology.
Posted in 516 Construction Company, Architecture, Construction, Economic reform, Foreign direct investment, International trade, Joint Ventures, Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC), Light Industry, Manufacturing, Real estate | Comments Closed
Sunday, November 11th, 2007
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.
Posted in Advertising, Agriculture, Architecture, Automobiles, Aviation, Banking, Black markets, Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, Communications, Computing/IT, Dams/hydro, Department Store No. 1, Economic reform, Education, Electricity, Energy, Environmental protection, Film, Finance, Fiscal & monetary policy, Football (soccer), Forestry, Gambling, Gasoline, General markets (FMR: Farmers Market), Golf, Google Earth, Hana Electronics Company, Health care, Hoteling, Hwanggumphyong and Wihwado Economic Zones (Sinuiju), Hyesan Youth Cooper Mine, Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC), Kim Il Sung University, Korea Computer Center (KCC), Library, Light Industry, Mansudae creative Company (art studio), Manufacturing, Mass games, Maternity Hospital, Military, Mining/Minerals, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Foreign Trade, Mt. Kumgang Tourist Special Zone, Musan Mine, Music, Nuclear, Pyongyang Embroidery Institute, Pyongyang Film Studio, Pyongyang Informatics Center (PIC), Pyongyang International Information Center of New Techn, Pyongyang International Trade Fair, Pyongyang Metro, Railways, Rason Economic and Trade Zone (Rajin-Sonbong), Real estate, Religion, Restaurants, Sea shipping, Special Economic Zones (Established before 2013), Sports, Steel, Supreme Peoples Assembly, Television, Tourism, Transportation, Water, Wind | Comments Closed
Saturday, October 6th, 2007
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.
Posted in 1990s Famine, Advertising, Agriculture, Architecture, Arduous March, Art, Automobiles, Aviation, Banking, Civil society, Coal, Communications, Computing/IT, Cosmetics, Dams/hydro, DPRK organizations, Economic reform, Education, Electricity, Energy, Environmental protection, Film, Finance, Fiscal & monetary policy, Football (soccer), Foreign direct investment, Forestry, Gambling, Gasoline, General markets (FMR: Farmers Market), Golf, Google Earth, Health care, Hoteling, Hwanggumphyong and Wihwado Economic Zones (Sinuiju), Illicit activities, Juche, Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC), Labor conditions/wages, Leisure, Library, Light Industry, Manufacturing, Mass games, Military, Mining/Minerals, Mt. Kumgang Tourist Special Zone, Music, Nuclear, Political economy, Pyongyang International Trade Fair, Pyongyang Metro, Radio, Railways, Rason Economic and Trade Zone (Rajin-Sonbong), Real estate, Religion, Restaurants, Sea shipping, Special Economic Zones (Established before 2013), Television, Tourism, Transportation, Water, Worker's Party | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, August 29th, 2007
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.
Posted in Agriculture, Architecture, Automobiles, Aviation, Biotech, Dams/hydro, Education, Electricity, Energy, Environmental protection, Fiscal & monetary policy, Forestry, Gasoline, General markets (FMR: Farmers Market), Google Earth, Health care, Hoteling, Hwanggumphyong and Wihwado Economic Zones (Sinuiju), International trade, Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC), Labor conditions/wages, Leisure, Library, Light Industry, Lumber, Manufacturing, Military, Mining/Minerals, Mt. Kumgang Tourist Special Zone, Political economy, Pyongyang International Trade Fair, Pyongyang Metro, Railways, Rason Economic and Trade Zone (Rajin-Sonbong), Real estate, Sea shipping, Special Economic Zones (Established before 2013), Tourism, Transportation, Water, Wind | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, August 1st, 2007
Daily NK
Han Young Jin
8/1/2007
Regarding the Hyesan, Yangkang province “apartment collapse incident (Reported Daily NK 7/23),” an opinion has been brought forward that the direct cause is the change in the weight load that followed from a drastic removal of the interior wall.
An internal North Korean news source quotes a witness to the incident who states, “Starting on the morning of the 19th, two construction workers were carrying on with a project to remove the wall panel of a house. When the wall panel was about to be dismantled, the concrete floor from the floor above spilled out and one side of the seven-story apartment crumbled down.”
Among the residents who had lived in the collapsed apartment, it was a trend to remodel the interior to enlarge the drawing room in a modern Chinese style. This apartment was typically a place where the relatively affluent class such as customs or trade workers resided.
Without passing building safety inspections, households would remove the wall panel that divided the small room and the kitchen to create a drawing room where they could drink tea with guests.
North Korean apartments are distributed to residents in the form of a rental apartment and if apartment residents want to change the structure, they must report this to the City Administrative Bureau under the People’s Committee that acts as the Superintendence Office for residents. However, the City Administrative Bureau has been accepting bribes and looking the other way which makes the regulations only valid in theory.
The news source also claimed, “It seems the building couldn’t withstand it anymore and collapsed. Due to this incident, 26 people have died and there are dozens more in casualties.”
In addition, they also claimed, “the Public Security Forces evacuated the residents on the side of the building without damages and demolished the entire apartment. It was a place that was clearly visible even in China and as reconstruction was difficult, it seems they demolished it all.”
Defector Kim Ju Chan [pseudonym] who had spoken to his family who lives in Hyesan said, “There has been a rumor to be alert as the apartment collapse incident is a conspiracy of the South Korean National Intelligence Service. However, hardly anyone believes this and says that this couldn’t be the result of a NIS conspiracy but from the construction of the wall panels.”
As this incident occurred during the Local Assembly representative elections, the North Korean authorities have been spreading such rumors like “South Korean NIS invasion” to prevent any changes in public sentiment.
Kim said, “In the process of handling the building debris, they also withdrew bundles of money or anything that looked valuable from private households. As the majority of the apartment residents are powerful people, it seems as there will be no other trouble.”
20 Die in Collapse of 7 Story Apartment Building
Daily NK
Kim Young Jin
On July 23, sources inside North Korea reported that a 7 story apartment building collapsed in Hyesan-dong, Hyesan, Yangkang province, killing and wounding dozens. The building stood next to the Hyesan police station and crumbled with a massive “bang,” on July 19th. Frightened residents quickly gathered and began rescue operations with the help of soldiers and social security agents.
The building was home to 42 families, six on each floor. 20 bodies were found beneath the rubble and many wounded were sent to hospitals, some arriving days later. Casualties mounted due to the lack of rescue equipment. Because the incident occurred during working hours, most of the victims were reportedly old and feeble.
The source quoted a social safety agent from the police stand who, along with other authorities, believed the building had structural deficiencies from the beginning. Others said the building was only 15 years old and represented the latest in North Korean building styles.
He added that the rescue was hampered for at least 2 days while larger machinery was brought in. While waiting, the locals were confined to the use of shovels and hoes.
Mr. Lee, a defector from Hyesan, said in a telephone conversation with the Daily NK that there are two apartment complexes beside the Hyesan police station. One is the collapsed building which was built 15 years ago and the other is 8 stories. The complexes primarily housed party members, factory management staff, and trade company employees.
An affiliate of the National Intelligence Service in South Korea mentioned to the Daily NK that “we are investigating the incident after receiving intelligence from several sources.”
Posted in Architecture, Real estate | Comments Closed
Tuesday, July 31st, 2007
Now available on Google Earth!
(click above to download to your own Google Earth)
North Korea Uncovered v.3
Google Earth added a high-resolution overlay of the area between Pyongyang and Nampo. In it, most of the Koguryo tombs listed with UNESCO are now distinguishable. In addition, viewers can see the latest Kim Jong Il palace (including a yacht), the DPRK’s premier golf course, and the Chinese-built Taean Glass factory. I have also made some progress in mapping out the DPRK electricity grid.
This is the most authoritative map of North Korea that exists publicly today. Agriculture, aviation, cultural institutions, manufacturing, railroad, energy, politics, sports, military, religion, leisure, national parks…they are all here, and will captivate anyone interested in North Korea for hours.
Naturally, 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. 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 on the more “controversial” locations. In time, I hope to expand this further by adding canal and road networks.
I hope this post will launch a new interest in North Korea. There is still plenty more to learn, and I look forward to hearing about improvements that can be made.
Posted in Architecture, Automobiles, Aviation, Banking, Coal, Communications, Computing/IT, Dams/hydro, Education, Electricity, Energy, Football (soccer), Forestry, Gambling, Gasoline, General markets (FMR: Farmers Market), Golf, Google Earth, Health care, Hoteling, Hwanggumphyong and Wihwado Economic Zones (Sinuiju), Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC), Leisure, Library, Light Industry, Manufacturing, Mass games, Military, Mining/Minerals, Mt. Kumgang Tourist Special Zone, Railways, Rason Economic and Trade Zone (Rajin-Sonbong), Real estate, Religion, Restaurants, Sea shipping, Sports, Tourism, Transportation | 1 Comment »
Monday, May 21st, 2007
KCNA
5/21/2007
The architecture in the DPRK has entered a new phase of its development in the Songun era.
The leader-immortality architecture reflects the unshakable will of the Korean people to attend President Kim Il Sung as the eternal image and to glorify his revolutionary exploits.
The Kumsusan Memorial Palace, the sacred temple of Juche, is a symbol and pattern of architecture for the immortality of the leader.
The Kumsusan Assembly Hall where President Kim Il Sung had conducted indefatigable activities for the Korean revolution and the global cause of independence was named Kumsusan Memorial Palace and built as a sacred temple more than 10 years ago, with the result that a new history of architecture for the immortality of the leader was created.
All structural elements and detailed decorations of the palace from the formation of the elevation to the palace square and stone gates mirror the faith and will of the servicepersons and the people to hold the President in high esteem forever.
Towers of immortality have been erected in different parts of the country. Inscribed in them is the slogan of faith “The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung will always be with us”.
Typical of them is the tower of immortality built in the entrance of Kumsong Street in Pyongyang.
The tower built across the street has two arch-type openings in the foundation. Inscribed in relief are the immortal slogan on the front and back sides of the tower body flanked by magnolia flowers, the national flower.
The Monument to Party Founding and the Monument to the Victorious Battle of Musan Area, grand monumental edifices in the Songun era, are also associated with the revolutionary exploits of President Kim Il Sung.
The Monument to Party Founding depicts the emblem of the Workers’ Party of Korea in a unique way. A hammer, a sickle and a writing-brush tightly grasped in the hands of a worker, a peasant and an intellectual are vertically erected, surrounded by a girdle. The body of the Monument to the Victorious Battle of Musan Area is a vertically standing rifle, the main theme, unlike other monuments. The monuments depict well in a symbolic method the exploits of the President who founded the WPK and pioneered Songun.
The architectural edifices for the immortality of the leader will be handed down long in accordance with the noble moral obligation of the servicepersons and people to attend President Kim Il Sung as the Sun of Juche and eternal leader.
Posted in Architecture, Songbun | Comments Closed
Tuesday, March 6th, 2007
Daily NK
Kim Min Se
3/6/2007
Expectations of foreign aid affected the stability of prices
In early March, the rice price in North Korean markets continues to inch downward before the spring lean period.
The research conducted by DailyNK correspondents on rice prices show that they fluctuate between 800 won to 900 won.
The price of 1kg of rice at Chungjin Market was around 900 won early in March, 750 won in Hamheung, and 700 won in Pyongyang and Hwanghae province. In October, 2006, just after the nuclear test, the price of rice was approximately 1,000 won to 1,100 won.
The spring leaning period usually starts in April because the amount of current rice in markets diminishes when rice and cereals reduce and the demand of rice increases.
The rice price declines mainly because the supply of rice traded through China.
After the nuclear test, the North Korean government imported 7423 tons of rice in October, 910 tons in November, and 3928 tons in December from China, according to the Unification Ministry and KOTRA. The Unification Ministry analyzed that the decrease in rice costs is an unprecedented case.
The total expected output of rice is 4.3 million tons according to WFP and Rural Development Administration of South Korea. Some experts analyzed that the supply of food may be enough to meet the demand. They believe this because the rice price is stable and moving downward.
It is expected that the price of rice will remain stable for a while rice price lasts for a while. They believe because people expect the food aid from foreign countries after reaching the 2.13 agreement at the six party talks. On the other hand, there are those that believe that the statistics of rice prices are irrelevant to effect of the real lives of North Korean people.
Posted in Agriculture, Architecture | Comments Closed