Pyongyang

Pyongyang is the capital and largest city of North Korea.

It is a directly administered city, which means it has a status equal to a province. The city sits on the banks of the Taedong River. This river flows about 109 kilometers upstream from its mouth at the Yellow Sea. The name Pyongyang comes from Sino-Korean words meaning "flat land."

This name describes the smooth, level terrain found in the area. In native Korean, the city was once called "Buruna," meaning "Land of the field."

The city serves as the political, industrial, and transport center of the nation. It is the home of major government institutions. The Workers' Party of Korea, or WPK, keeps its headquarters in Government Complex No. 1. Most people living in the city are connected to the ruling party. It is estimated that 99% of residents are members, candidate members, or dependents of WPK members.

This makes the city the central hub for the country's leadership and administration.

Pyongyang has a history that stretches back thousands of years. Legend says it was founded in 1122 BC. It was the capital for the ancient kingdoms of Gojoseon and Goguryeo.

It also served as a secondary capital for the Goryeo kingdom. In the early 20th century, the city was known as the "Jerusalem of the East." This was because it was a major stronghold for Protestant Christianity. By 1880, the city held more Protestant missionaries than any other city in Asia.

The 20th century brought massive changes and destruction to the city. After North Korea was established in 1948, Pyongyang became the de facto capital. However, the Korean War caused severe damage to the urban area. In 1952, the city was the target of a massive aerial raid. This raid involved 1,400 UN aircraft.

Despite this devastation, the city was rebuilt quickly after the war ended in 1953.

Reconstruction was a massive project aided by the Soviet Union. Architects used a style known as Stalinist architecture for many new buildings. The Moscow Architectural Institute helped design a comprehensive construction plan in 1951. This plan was officially adopted in 1953. The city was transformed into a modern space with a unique arrangement. Some newer buildings were also influenced by the work of Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. The 1972 Constitution officially declared Pyongyang as the capital.

In recent years, the city has experienced a significant construction boom. This growth has happened under the leadership of Kim Jong Un. Many large residential projects have been completed for specific groups of people. For example, Unha Scientists Street and Wisong Scientists Street each hold over 1,000 units.

In 2017, the Ryomyong Street complex was finished. This single project provided 4,804 residential units. Other new sites include the Munsu Water Park and the renovated Sunan International Airport.

Pyongyang continues to develop through various modernizing programs. The Ministry of Capital City Construction Development was added to the Cabinet in 2001. Recent projects include the Pyongyang General Hospital, which began construction in 2020.

The city also features large public spaces and landmarks. These include the Arch of Triumph and the Mansudae People's Theatre. From its ancient roots to its modern high-rises, Pyongyang remains the most vital part of North Korea.