Pyongyang
| P'yŏngyang Directly Governed City | |
|---|---|
| Korean Name | |
| McCune-Reischauer | Pyŏngyang Chik'alshi |
| Revised Romanization | Pyeongyang Jikhalsi |
| Hangul | 평양 직할시 |
| Hanja | 平壌直轄市 |
| Short Name | P'yŏngyang (Pyeongyang; 평양; 平壌) |
| Statistics | |
| Population | 2,741,260 (1993) |
| Area | ? |
| Government | Special City; Capital of North Korea |
| Administrative Divisions | 19 wards ("Kuyŏk"); 4 counties ("Kun") |
| Split from | South P'yŏngan, 1946 |
| Region | Kwansŏ |
| Dialect | P'yŏngan |
| Location Map | |
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P'yŏngyang (Pyeongyang) is the capital city of North Korea, located in the northwest of the country, near the Taedong river.
The city had a population in 1993 of 2,741,260. The city is administered as a Directly Governed City (Chik'alshi), on the same level as provincial governments.
The city is classified as a Directly Governed City (Chik'alshi), not a Special City as Seoul in South Korea. In fact, the North Korean national newspaper and broadcasting say "Pyongyang Chik'alshi". Some sources, most of them come from South Korea, refer the city as a Special City; however these are the old sources. Moreover, South Korea has corrected the city as a Directly Governed City, according to a South Korean newspaper in 1994.
History
According to legend, the city was founded in 1122 BC. The Goguryeo established commanderies here in 108 BC, which lasted for 400 years. Goguryeo moved its capital here in 427. The Tang Empire and Silla allied and destroyed Goguryeo; and Tang put Andong Commandery in P'yŏngyang (668-676). In 676 it was wrested by Silla but left unattended until Goryeo dynasty.
Administrative Divisions
P'yŏngyang is divided into 19 wards ("Kuyŏk") and 4 counties ("Kun").
- Chung-guyŏk (중구역; 中區域)
- P'yŏngch'ŏn-guyŏk (평천구역; 平川區域)
- Pot'onggang-guyŏk (보통강구역; 普通江區域)
- Molanbong-guyŏk (모란봉구역; 牡丹峰區域)
- Sŏsŏng-guyŏk (서성구역; 西城區域)
- Sŏngyo-guyŏk (선교구역; 船橋區域)
- Tongdaewŏn-guyŏk (동대원구역; 東大院區域)
- Taedonggang-guyŏk (대동강구역; 大同江區域)
- Sadong-guyŏk (사동구역; 寺洞區域)
- Taesŏng-guyŏk (대성구역; 大城區域)
- Mangyŏngdae-guyŏk (만경대구역; 万景台區域)
- Hyŏngjesan-guyŏk (형제산구역; 兄弟山區域)
- Ryongsŏng-guyŏk (룡성구역; 龍城區域)
- Samsŏk-guyŏk (삼석구역; 三石區域)
- Sŭngho-guyŏk (승호구역; 勝湖區域)
- Ryŏkp'o-guyŏk (력포구역; 力浦區域)
- Rakrang-guyŏk (락랑구역; 樂浪區域)
- Sunan-guyŏk (순안구역; 順安區域)
- Ŭnjŏng-guyŏk (은정구역; )
- Chunghwa-gun (중화군; 中和郡)
- Kangnam-gun (강남군; 江南郡)
- Kangdong-gun (강동군; 江東郡)
- Sangwŏn-gun (상원군; 祥原郡)
Landmarks
The capital has been completely rebuilt since the Korean War (1950-1953). The city is designed as a showcase for the communist revolution, with wide avenues, imposing monuments, and monolithic buildings. The tallest structure in the city is the uncompleted 1,080-foot Ryugyong Hotel. This hotel has 103 floors and a few pavilions for rotating restaurants; however, construction has been stalled for years. The building stands now as an empty shell.
Some notable landmarks in the city include the Arch of Triumph (a larger replica of Paris's Arc de Triomphe), the reputed birthplace of Kim Il Sung at Mangyongdae Hill, Juche Tower, and two of the world's largest stadiums (Kim Il Sung Stadium and Rungnado May Day Stadium).
Transportation
The two-line underground metro system was built in 1970s. There is also a tram and trolleybus service. There are no private automobiles, although the state government operates a sizable fleet of Mercedes-Benz limousines for Party bureaucrats.
Pyongyang is served by Sunan International Airport, which has weekly flights to Beijing and several other Asian cities. The city also has regular train service to Beijing, a journey of about 24 hours.
Climate
Climate diagram of Pyongyang
References
- 행정 구역 현황 (Haengjeong Guyeok Hyeonhwang; (in Korean only)
- Administrative divisions of North Korea (in simplified Chinese; used as reference for Hanja)