| Samjiyŏn | |
|---|---|
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 삼지연군 |
| Hancha | 三池淵郡 |
| McCune–Reischauer | Samjiyŏn-kun |
| Revised Romanization | Samjiyeon-gun |
Samjiyŏn, or Samjiyŏn-kun, is a district in Ryanggang province, North Korea. It has its own airport. It takes its name from three lakes in the county, which are known as the Samjiyŏn. Samjiyŏn is situated near Mount Baekdu, and tour groups fly to the district's airport to see the fabled mountain.
Many houses and buildings in Samjiyŏn have been recently upgraded, and many new buildings, including a recreational centre for youths, were finished in 2005. Popular activities in Samjiyŏn are skiing and various activities for schoolchildren, who use the surrounding area of Mt. Paektu for various scouting-like operations in conjunction with school-led vacations or outings.
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Samjiyŏn is catered by the KPAF (Korean People's Air Force) along with the national flag carrier Air Koryo which operates scheduled flights and charter services. In 2005, the airport was closed due to major renovations, which were partially underwritten by the Hyundai corporation.
Samjiyŏn has been a holiday resort and destination for both presidents of North Korea. Both Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il have established palaces and compounds in the area, accessed by a specially developed and exclusive railway station for the presedential train.
In 1999, five years after his death, Kim Il Sung's palace was bombed. Kim Jong Il developed a new palace compound, but its location is unknown.
The current presidential train station is located between Kumsang-dong in Hyesan and Uiwa-ri in Bocheon, Yangkang, in a very narrow gorge making it difficult for ariel attack. The facilities of this used once a year station are much more sophisticated than the nearby civilian Hyesan Youth railway station.[1]
Officially called Hyesan No.1 railway station, although not located in Wangdeok region, Yangkang civilians still call the station Wangdeok railway station, because the original 1985 station was established only 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Wangdeok.[1]
The first station was built in 1985, but as it was easily overlooked from China, in 1989 it was destroyed and moved to a second site, 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) north of the current third site. However on inspecting the completed facilities, Kim Il Sung decided that he did not like it as you could see the end of China's mountains. Ordering a third rebuild, the second and most luxurious station was taken over by the Samjiyeon Precision Machinery Factory (the No. 95 Munitions Factory) after completion of the current, third site, in 1992.[1]
This third station is located directly on the Baekdu Mountain Tourism Road, which gives direct access to Kim Il Sung's palace compound.[1]
20 civilian personnel and two military squads protect the area immediately around the station. During the annual presidential visit in July or August, the entire civilian population is employed to clean the transportation system and local environment.[1]
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