Kaechon
| Kaech'ŏn City | |
|---|---|
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 개천시 |
| Hancha | 价川市 |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kaech'ŏn-si |
| Revised Romanization | Gaecheon-si |
| Short name | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 개천 |
| Hancha | 价川 |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kaech'ŏn |
| Revised Romanization | Gaecheon |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 738 km2 (284.9 sq mi) |
| Population (1991) | 336,000 |
| Population density | 455.3/km2 (1,179.2/sq mi) |
| Government | under South P'yŏngan |
| Administrative divisions | 25 dong, 11 ri |
| Region | Kwansŏ |
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.
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[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 has been extensivley developed, including livestock and fruit orchards. Machining and metalworking are the dominant industries, mining has also become more 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 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]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Choe Sang-hun (July 9, 2007). "Born and raised in a North Korean gulag". International Herald Tribune. http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/09/news/korea.php?page=2.
- ^ United States Senate Hearings: Testimony of Ms. Soon Ok Lee, June 21, 2002
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