Nyŏngbyŏn County 녕변군 |
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County | |
Korean transcription(s) | |
• Chosŏn'gŭl | () |
• Hancha | |
• McCune-Reischauer | Nyŏngbyŏn-gun |
• Revised Romanization | Nyeongbyeon-gun (Yeongbyeon-gun) |
Country | North Korea |
Province | North P'yŏngan |
Administrative divisions | 1 ŭp, 1 workers' district, 26 ri |
Nyŏngbyŏn County (also Ryŏngbyŏn; in standard Southern dialect: Yŏngbyŏn) is a county in North P'yŏngan province, North Korea. It borders the cities of Kaech'ŏn and Anju, and covers an area of 504 km².
The city was heavily fortified during the 15th century as a result of its strategic position, and during the Chosŏn Dynasty, became a famous retreat for the aristocratic ryangban due to its fantastic scenery. The city's Yaksan, meaning medicine mountain, was well known for its beautiful azaleas; the famous modern poet Kim So-wol wrote one of his best-known poems on this subject. Two other mountains, Yaksan-dongdae, east of Yaksan, and Moran Hill are also famous scenic spots. Nyŏngbyŏn also houses many important relics, including the Ch'ŏnju and Soun Buddhist temples, dating from 1345 and 1684 respectively; the Ryuksung Pavilion, famous for "six scenic views" of Nyŏngbyŏn; and the Ch'ŏl'ong Castle, built to protect the city during the Ri Dynasty. The south gate of Nyŏngbyŏn, called Mannomun, is also famous.
Nyŏngbyŏn county is divided into 1 ŭp (town), 1 rodongjagu (workers' district) and 26 ri (villages):
The Nyŏngbyŏn Nuclear Scientific Research Centre, a major component of the North Korean nuclear program, is located here.
The Ch'ŏngnyŏn P'arwŏn Line of the Korean State Railway passes through Nyŏngbyŏn county.