Pyongyang–Kaesong Motorway
The Pyongyang-Kaesong Motorway (Korean: 평양개성고속도로; Hancha: 平壤–開城高速道路), 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 170 km (110 mi) long, with multiple paved lanes and several tunnels. Tourists have reported that there is very light traffic, as well as multiple checkpoints and tank traps.
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. Construction finished on April 15, 1992, the birthday of North Korea president Kim Il Sung. The entire highway is part of Asian Highway 1.
References
- ^ Sharpe, M. E. (2003). North Korea Handbook. Yonhap News Agency. p. 396.
- ^ apathseeker No real name given + Add Contact (7 October 2007). "Reunification Highway | Flickr - Photo Sharing!". Flickr. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
- ^ ""Reunification Highway" P'anmunjom-ni Things to Do Tip by Willettsworld". Members.virtualtourist.com. Archived from the original on 2016-01-31. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
- ^ isa_adsr Michael Day+ Add Contact (2011-09-02). "Tank traps | Flickr - Photo Sharing!". Flickr. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
- ^ Hy-Sang Lee (2001). North Korea: A Strange Socialist Fortress. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 144. ISBN 978-0-275-96917-2.
External links
Media related to Pyongyang-Kaesong motorway at Wikimedia Commons
