Government Complex No. 1 (Korean: 1호 청사) is a closed complex of government buildings located at the center of Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. It houses the headquarters of the Workers' Party of Korea and the State Affairs Commission, the country's ruling party and supreme state organ, respectively. It also houses the offices of the Third Floor Secretariat, the private office of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. The complex is situated roughly between Changgwang, Chollima, and Hebangsan streets.[1] It contains a number of administrative buildings as well as apartment buildings surrounded by a wall. The secure nature of the complex has led some commentators to describe it as "Pyongyang's Forbidden City".[2]
| Government Complex No. 1 | |
|---|---|
  | |
| General information | |
| Type | Closed buildings' complex |
| Location | Chung-guyok, Pyongyang, North Korea |
| Coordinates | 39°01′04″N 125°44′39″E / 39.01778°N 125.74417°E |
| Korean name | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 1호 청사 |
| Hancha | |
| Revised Romanization | ilho cheongsa |
| McCune–Reischauer | irho ch'ŏngsa |
Overview
editThe complex includes the seat of the secretariat and the central meeting hall of the Workers' Party of Korea. It was reported in October 2019 that many high-rise windows facing the complex had been blocked out for security.[3] The complex saw large construction activity in 2019.[2] Satellite images showed construction activity between February and April 2020. An old building that was thought to be the private clinic of the North Korean leadership had been torn down and construction had begun on a new, larger building with multiple rooms.[4]
References
edit- ^ Willoughby, Robert (2008). North Korea. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 144. ISBN 978-1-84162-219-4.
- ^ a b "Major construction underway in North Korea's central government complex: imagery". NK News. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ "Pyongyang authorities block windows of hundreds of high-rise apartments". NK News. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ "North Korean ruling party HQ sees more upgrades ahead of major April events". NK News. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.