With great fanfare, Pyongyang opens new airport terminal

[webfact]

With great fanfare, Pyongyang opens new airport terminal

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korea opened a new terminal building at Pyongyang's international airport on Wednesday, underscoring an effort to attract more tourists and to spruce up the country ahead of a celebration of a major anniversary of the founding of its ruling party in October.

North Korean Premier Pak Pong Ju officiated at the opening ceremony, which marks the completion of years of work at Pyongyang's main Sunan airport.

However, the airport is likely to appear largely empty. Just a handful of international flights come and go from Pyongyang every week, although since last year the frequency has increased. Only two airlines have scheduled flights to Pyongyang — North Korea's flag carrier, Air Koryo, and Air China.

The new international terminal building is roughly the same size as the old one which was long in service. But it is much bigger than the small, temporary terminal building that has been in use for the past few years while construction was going on.

In recent years, the regular international connections from Pyongyang have been Beijing and Shenyang in China, along with Vladivostok in Russia. Air Koryo occasionally flies further afield, for example to Malaysia and Kuwait, but those are not regular flights.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had shown a keen interest in the construction of the new airport facilities and North Korean state media reported him making inspection visits to the project four times in the past two years.

On one occasion last year, North Korean state media reported that Kim Jong Un criticized the construction of the new airport terminal building, highlighting "defects."

It is rare for North Korean media to mention any problems in the country, but under Kim Jong Un there have been other occasions where his criticisms have been published.

Photos of his visit to the new terminal were prominently featured in the North's media last week. Judging from his broad smile in those photos, whatever defects he had previously pointed out were fixed.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-07-02

[BigBadGeordie]

That will be nice for Uncle Too when he visits.

[krisb]

Welcome to North Korea! We hope you enjoy your stay!

Your a spy, come with us.

[Seastallion]

I wonder if they charge each and every tourist for their minders?

As tourist numbers increase, the number of minders will have to grow too...soon, the minder cadre will be as big as the army.

(Well, the army of Lichtenstein, perhaps).

[realenglish1]

Common just because they built a new terminal that will not make me to desire going to North Korea " For What"

To look at what repressed people look like

No way

[NCC1701A]

i was in east berlin for a short period. that was really bad. can't imagine what this would like.

might be interesting to go...

[ggold]

He liked the new Airport so much he had the Architect shot!

http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/kim-jong-un-executes-airport-architect-because-he-didn-t-like-his-work-6349525?ref=rss

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has reportedly executed one of his top architects because he was unhappy with his work

[NickJ]

The choclate fountain will pull in a few million at least.

[boomerangutang]

I've watched some videos of tourist visits to the drab place. They're nearly identical. It's like a self-parody.

Also, last night I watched an expose video of Scientology. The similarities with PRK are spooky - particularly their manic control, and how they harass anyone who indicates they may want to leave the fold. ....also in their monolithic personality worship.

[Trouble]

I am sure that Kim's pointing out of defects is so they can show pictures of him directing and inspiring workers to do better. Having travelled to No Korea a few years back there is no where you can't go and see pictures, murals, statues, etc of his father and grandfather who it would appear directed the building of the country and without whom it would never have happened. They directed building of factories, grain harvests, etc. It is so over the top but that is what the propaganda organization is all about. There is even an art institute where they do nothing but create the murals and art for the government projects. Out front there are two enormous statues of father and grandfather on gallant stallions. Most likely neither ever were on a horse. Actually touring there is a fascinating experience. Makes one understand what totalitarianism and dictatorships are capable of doing. Sort of like bringing happiness to the Thai people. Unfortunately only the leaders are happy. The common people are miserable.

[Seastallion]

I am sure that Kim's pointing out of defects is so they can show pictures of him directing and inspiring workers to do better. Having travelled to No Korea a few years back there is no where you can't go and see pictures, murals, statues, etc of his father and grandfather who it would appear directed the building of the country and without whom it would never have happened. They directed building of factories, grain harvests, etc. It is so over the top but that is what the propaganda organization is all about. There is even an art institute where they do nothing but create the murals and art for the government projects. Out front there are two enormous statues of father and grandfather on gallant stallions. Most likely neither ever were on a horse. Actually touring there is a fascinating experience. Makes one understand what totalitarianism and dictatorships are capable of doing. Sort of like bringing happiness to the Thai people. Unfortunately only the leaders are happy. The common people are miserable.

I watched a doco about an international team of medico's who went there and did (something like) 1000 eye cataract surgeries in 2 weeks. Apart from the drabness, the minders, the empty highways, the limits on what could be filmed etc, the thing that struck me the most was on the day they removed the bandages. These people could see again, and were understandably tearfully happy.....but they did not thank the doctors or nurses, they turned to a portrait of Daddy Kim and, with such ferocious sincerity, OTT obsequiousness, thanked the great man for his wonderful skill and generosity.

The doco team discussed this obsequiousness and said although for some it was for show because spies were always looking, for the most it was genuine belief in Kim's supremacy and near godlike abilities.