Kaechon

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 / 39.69861°N 125.90611°E / 39.69861; 125.90611.

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.

Economy

Water resources are abundant, and several reservoirs are located in Kaechon.

Agriculture has been extensively developed, including livestock and fruit orchards. Machining and metalworking are the dominant industries, mining has also become more prominent.

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.

Prison Camps

There are two large prison camps in Kaechon, both known for very harsh conditions:

• Political Prison Camp No. 14 is a prison labor colony around 20 km (12 mi) southeast of the city center at the banks of Taedong River. Shin Dong-hyuk was born in the camp, tortured there, and finally saw his mother and brother executed before he escaped. ^[1]
• Reeducation Camp No. 1 is a prison building complex around 2.5 km (1.6 mi) east of the city center. Lee Soon-ok was imprisoned for six years in the camp and gave testimony before the United States Senate. ^[2]

See also

• List of cities in North Korea
• Transportation in North Korea

Notes

v t e South P'yŏngan Province Capital P'yŏngsŏng Cities Anju Kaech'ŏn Namp'o P'yŏngsŏng Sunch'ŏn Tŏkch'ŏn Districts Ch'ŏngnam Tŭkchang Ungok Counties Chungsan Hoech'ang Maengsan Mundŏk Nyŏngwŏn Pukch'ang P'yŏngwŏn Sinyang Sŏngch'ŏn Sukch'ŏn Taedong Taehŭng Ŭnsan Yangdŏk