Kaechon
Encyclopedia
Kaech'ŏn is a city in South Pyongan Province, North Korea
. Kaechon's coordinates are 39°41′55"N 125°54′22"E.
. The area of the city is 61% forested.
Agriculture has been extensivley developed, including livestock and fruit orchards. Machining and metalworking are the dominant industries, mining has also become more prominent.
, 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.
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
. Kaechon's coordinates are 39°41′55"N 125°54′22"E.
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 RiverTaedong River
The Taedong River is a large river in North Korea. It rises in the Rangrim Mountains of the country's north. It then flows southwest into Korea Bay at Namp'o. In between, it runs through the country's capital, Pyongyang. Along the river are landmarks such as the Juche Tower and Kim Il-sung...
. The area of the city is 61% forested.
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.
Tourism
Tourist sites in Kaechon include Songam CavernSongam Cavern
Songam Cavern is a major tourist venue in North Korea. It consists of 17 well-lit karst caves full of picturesque stone formations including stalactites and stalagmites...
, Taeripsa Temple with its 9-level stone pagoda
Pagoda
A pagoda is the general term in the English language for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Some pagodas are used as Taoist houses of worship. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist,...
, the fortresses of Changhamsŏng, T'osŏng, and Kosasansŏng, Namsa dolmen
Dolmen
A dolmen—also known as a portal tomb, portal grave, dolmain , cromlech , anta , Hünengrab/Hünenbett , Adamra , Ispun , Hunebed , dös , goindol or quoit—is a type of single-chamber megalithic tomb, usually consisting of...
, 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. 14Kaechon internment campKaechon internment camp is a labor camp in North Korea for political prisoners. The official name is Kwan-li-so No. 14. It is not to be confused with Kaechon concentration camp Kaechon internment camp (Hangeul: , also spelled Kae'chŏn or Gaecheon) is a labor camp in North Korea for political...
is a prison labor colony around 20 km (12.4 mi) southeast of the city center at the banks of Taedong RiverTaedong RiverThe Taedong River is a large river in North Korea. It rises in the Rangrim Mountains of the country's north. It then flows southwest into Korea Bay at Namp'o. In between, it runs through the country's capital, Pyongyang. Along the river are landmarks such as the Juche Tower and Kim Il-sung...
. Shin Dong-hyukShin Dong-hyuk (human rights activist)Shin Dong-hyuk is a North Korean defector living in South Korea. He is the only known person to have escaped from a 'total-control zone' grade concentration camp in North Korea. He has given testimony on his life in Kwan-li-so No...
was born in the camp, tortured there, and finally saw his mother and brother executed before he escaped. - Reeducation Camp No. 1Kaechon concentration campKaechon concentration camp is a prison in North Korea with many political prisoners. The official name is Kyo-hwa-so No. 1. It is not to be confused with Kaechon internment camp Kaechon concentration camp (Hangeul: , also spelled Kae'chŏn or Gaecheon) is a prison in North Korea with many...
is a prison building complex around 2.5 km (1.6 mi) east of the city center. Lee Soon-okLee Soon OkLee Soon Ok is a former political prisoner and defector from North Korea. She resides in South Korea.-Imprisonment:For six years, Lee was imprisoned in Kaechon concentration camp where she has reported witnessing forced abortions, infanticide, several instances of rape, public executions, testing...
was imprisoned for six years in the camp and gave testimony before the United States Senate.