Pyongyang–Kaesong Motorway Explained

Country:PRK
Route:Pyongyang–Kaesong Motorway
Translation:평양개성고속도로
Lang:ko
Map:Pyongyang-Kaesong_motorway.PNG
Length Km:170
Direction A:North
Terminus A:Tongil Street / Chungsong Bridge, Rangnang-guyok, Pyongyang
Junction:Pyongyang–Wonsan Tourist Motorway, Kangnam-gun, North Hwanghae
Sariwon–Sincheon Motorway, Hwangju-gun, North Hwanghae
Direction B:South
Terminus B:Entrance to Joint Security Area and the Korean Demilitarized Zone, Kaesong Industrial Region, North Hwanghae

The Pyongyang-Kaesong Motorway, is a controlled-access highway in North Korea. It connects the capital Pyongyang to the Joint Security Area at the Korean Demilitarized Zone via Sariwon and Kaesong. The distance to Seoul in South Korea is present on signs on the highway, although it is not possible to cross the border to South Korea.

It is long,[1] with multiple paved lanes and several tunnels. Tourists have reported that there is very light traffic,[2] as well as multiple checkpoints[3] and tank traps.[4]

Construction began in 1987 in preparation for the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students to be held in Pyongyang in 1989. The project was economically ill-advised because North Korea had hitherto consistently focused on developing railway links for transport, diminishing the need for new expressways.[5] Construction finished on April 15, 1992, the birthday of North Korea president Kim Il Sung. The entire highway is part of Asian Highway 1.

External links

38.4349°N 126.1387°W

Notes and References

  1. Book: Sharpe. M. E.. North Korea Handbook. 396. 2003. Yonhap News Agency.
  2. Web site: apathseeker No real name given + Add Contact . Reunification Highway | Flickr - Photo Sharing! . Flickr . 7 October 2007. 2012-02-25.
  3. Web site: "Reunification Highway" P'anmunjom-ni Things to Do Tip by Willettsworld . Members.virtualtourist.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20160131091329/http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/p/m/1d289d/ . 2012-02-25. 2016-01-31 .
  4. Web site: isa_adsr Michael Day+ Add Contact . Tank traps | Flickr - Photo Sharing! . Flickr . 2011-09-02 . 2012-02-25.
  5. Book: Hy-Sang Lee. North Korea: A Strange Socialist Fortress. 2001. Greenwood Publishing Group. 978-0-275-96917-2. 144.