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Kaech'ŏn (Hangul: 개천시, Hanja: 价川市) is a city in South Pyongan Province, North Korea. Kaechon's coordinates are 39°41′55″N, 125°54′22″E.
[edit] Geography
The Myohyangsan, Changansan, Ch'ŏnsŏngsan, and Ch'ŏngryongsan mountain ranges come together in Kaechon. The highest peak is Paekt'apsan. The most important rivers are the Ch'ŏngch'ŏn River and the Taedong River. The area of the city is 61% forested.
[edit] Economy
Water resources are abundant, and several reservoirs are located in Kaechon. Agriculture is also developed, including livestock and fruit orchards. Machine industry and metalworking are the dominant industries. Mining is also prominent.
[edit] Tourism
Tourist sites in Kaechon include Songam Cavern, Taeripsa Temple with its 9-level stone pagoda, the fortresses of Changhamsŏng, T'osŏng, and Kosasansŏng, Namsa dolmen, and the group of dolments at Mukpangsan. There are also Yŏnpung Lake, which was constructed in 1956, and Yongwŏn Cavern, which was discovered in 1966 and is preserved as North Korea's Natural Monument No. 43.
[edit] Prison Camp
Two North Koreans are thought to have escaped from Camp No. 14, located near Kaechon. The first, named Kim Yong, arrived in the south in 1999, and now lives in the United States; his story has been questioned. The second, Shin Dong Hyok, escaped in 2005 and lives in South Korea. Shin was born in the camp, tortured there, and finally saw his mother and brother executed before he escaped. His presence there has been confirmed by Ahn Myeong Cheol, who used to work as a driver and guard at the camp, and made his way south in 1994. [1]
[edit] See also
