North Korea closes village that commemorates Kim's uncle

(Baonghean.vn) - South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on June 14 that North Korea has closed the model of the Folk Village in Pyongyang that was supervised by the uncle of President Kim Jong-un.

President Kim Jong-un during a state visit to Mangyongdae school. Photo: KCNA

The Folk Village, built with miniature versions of buildings in the capital Pyongyang, was completed in 2012 and was described by President Kim as the brainchild of late President Kim Jong-il.

The village's construction was overseen by Jang Song-thaek, once the second most powerful man in North Korea, who was convicted of treason and executed in late 2013.

Yonhap quoted a secret source as saying that Chairman Kim ordered the dismantling of the "Mini Pyongyang" Village because it reminded him of Mr. Jang.

However, Nick Bonner - Director of Koryo Tours, a travel agency specializing in tours to North Korea, said that the North Korean Tourism Department announced that the closure was only temporary for renovation purposes.

The 200-hectare Folk Village model features miniature versions of famous buildings and monuments in Pyongyang, such as the Juche Tower - the symbol of the country.

In addition, the village also includes replicas of palaces from the Koryo dynasty, which existed from the 10th to the 14th centuries.

The Ethnic Village is estimated to cost millions of dollars to build.

Thanh Hien

(According to The Guardian)