Kangdong Residence
| Kangdong Residence | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 강동 관저 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | 江東官邸 |
| Revised Romanization | Gangdong Gwanjeo |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kangdong Kwanjŏ |
Kangdong Residence[1] is the summer retreat and second major residence of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un besides Ryongsong Residence.[2]
Location
The residence is located in Kangdong-gun, a suburban county of Pyongyang, around 30 km (19 mi) northeast of Kim Il-sung Square.[3] Taedong River is just 1 km (0.62 mi) to the north.[4] The size of the whole leadership complex is around 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi). According to Kim Jong-il’s former bodyguard Lee Young-kuk there are at least eight North Korean leader’s residences outside Pyongyang.[5]
Description
The compound was constructed in the 1980s and expanded in the 1990s under the order of Kim Jong-il.[6] It contains buildings for Kim Jong-il, his late wife Ko Yong-hui, his sister Kim Kyong-hui and his brother-in-law Jang Sung-taek.[7] The area is mostly used as summer residence, to spend holidays[8] or for parties with close officials.[6] The estate has an elaborate garden, set around many lakes. There are numerous guest houses, and a banqueting hall.[9] The whole compound is a maximum security area, surrounded by two armored fence lines[10] with guards huts and checkpoints, clearly visible on satellite pictures.[11] Kim Jong-il’s former cook Kenji Fujimoto worked and lived in a guest house within the compound and provided some photographs dated 1989.[7] Analysis of satellite pictures showed that the area changed significantly since then and even after 2006 new buildings and a new railway station were established.[12] Defectors reported that in Hyangmok-ri, not far from the residence and from the Mausoleum of Tangun, Kim Jong-un’s birthplace is being built,[13] though he was actually born in Changsong, North Pyongan Province.[14]
Facilities
- Furnished entertainment facilities with bowling, shooting and roller-skating[7]
- Horse stables and a racing track[3]
- Football field[15]
- Kangdong airfield is 4 km (2.5 mi) south[9]
See also
- North Korean leader's residences
- Official residence
- Ryongsong Residence
- Sinuiju North Korean Leader's Residence
- North Korea Uncovered
References
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External links
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. – Project for comprehensive mapping of North Korea
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. – Detailed satellite pictures of six North Korean leader’s residences
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