Ryongsong Residence

Location

The residence is located in Ryongsong district in northern Pyongyang, around 12 km (7.5 mi) northeast of Kim Il-sung Square. The size of the whole leadership complex is around 12 km² (4.6 sq mi). According to Kim Jong-il's former bodyguard Lee Young-kuk, there are at least eight North Korean leaders' residences outside Pyongyang.

Description

The compound was constructed by a Korean People's Army construction brigade and completed in 1983 under the rule of Kim Il-sung. It was later used by Kim Jong-il, his sister Kim Kyong-hui and his brother-in-law Jang Sung-taek. Since he succeeded his father as leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un has used Ryongsong Residence as his main residence. The complex has an underground wartime headquarters, protected with walls with iron rods and concrete covered with lead in case of a nuclear war. There are numerous military units to protect the headquarters stationed around the complex in possession of mass scale conventional weapons. The area is surrounded by an electric fence, mine fields and many security checkpoints. The headquarters is connected with Changgyong Residence (Residence No. 26) and other residences with underground tunnels. A private underground train station is also inside the residence compound. Besides large houses and well-tended gardens there are man-made lakes and various recreational facilities. Witnesses have reported luxurious interiors with ornate furnishings, deep plush carpets and fancy chandeliers.

Facilities