[Yonhap News Photo]
SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un braved the snow to visit Samjiyon, a politically symbolic place near the border with China and called for an early completion of construction that would turn it into a major tourist destination.
Pictures released by Pyongyang's state media on Tuesday showed Kim smiling during his "field guidance" of the snow-covered town. No date was given. Kim called for the completion of construction by October 2020, when North Korea will celebrate the 75th anniversary of its ruling party founding.
In Samjiyon at the mouth of Mount Paekdu, North Korea has already built buildings and recreational facilities, including a ski resort. Kim has issued a new order to upgrade facilities in the resort town, which gained attention in September when South and North Korean leaders made a joint trip to the volcanic mountain after a summit in Pyongyang.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Kim walked up to the 2,744-meter peak of Mount Paekdu revered as a sacred place where an ancient Korean kingdom originated. North Korea's propaganda claims Kim Jong-un's late father, Kim Jong-il, was born in Samjiyon.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
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