Reunification Highway

Pyongyang–Kaesong Motorway
평양개성고속도로
Reunification Highway
Route information
Part of
Length: 170 km (110 mi)
Major junctions
North end: Tongil Street / Chungsong Bridge, Rangnang-guyok, Pyongyang
  Pyongyang–Wonsan Tourist Motorway, Kangnam-gun, North Hwanghae
Sariwon–Sincheon Motorway, Hwangju-gun, North Hwanghae
South end: Entrance to Joint Security Area and the Korean Demilitarized Zone, Kaesong Industrial Region, North Hwanghae

The Reunification Highway, officially known as the Pyongyang-Kaesong Motorway (Chosŏn'gŭl: 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 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.[5] Construction finished on April 15, 1992, the birthday of North Korea's president Kim Il-sung. Its name was chosen to promote the reunification of Korea. The entire highway is part of Asian Highway 1.

References

  1. ↑ Sharpe, M. E. (2003). North Korea Handbook. Yonhap News Agency. p. 396.
  2. ↑ apathseeker No real name given + Add Contact. "Reunification Highway | Flickr - Photo Sharing!". Flickr. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  3. ↑ ""Reunification Highway" P'anmunjom-ni Things to Do Tip by Willettsworld". Members.virtualtourist.com. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  4. ↑ isa_adsr Michael Day+ Add Contact (2011-09-02). "Tank traps | Flickr - Photo Sharing!". Flickr. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  5. ↑ Hy-Sang Lee (2001). North Korea: A Strange Socialist Fortress. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 144. ISBN 978-0-275-96917-2.
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