1. Pyongyang
As the capital and largest city of North Korea, Pyongyang is the political, cultural, and economic hub of the country. It is home to the ruling Korean Workers’ Party and numerous monuments glorifying the Kim dynasty, such as the iconic Juche Tower and the Mansudae Grand Monuments. The city is heavily planned and controlled, with wide boulevards, neatly maintained parks, and a distinct lack of commercial advertising. Foreigners experience a curated version of the city, typically only seeing the most presentable parts, including elite schools, museums, and revolutionary landmarks. Pyongyang also features a small number of upscale restaurants and hotels, mostly catering to diplomats and tourists. Despite the constraints of international sanctions, the city continues to symbolize the regime’s strength and ideological purity.
2. Hamhung
Hamhung is the second-largest city in North Korea and the largest on the country’s east coast. It has long been a center of industry and science, known particularly for its chemical production and textile factories. The city was almost entirely destroyed during the Korean War but was later rebuilt with the help of East Germany in the 1950s. Today, Hamhung remains an important industrial base, though it struggles with outdated infrastructure and intermittent power shortages. Architecturally, it is a mix of socialist realism and utilitarian designs, with residential blocks dominating much of the urban landscape. The nearby city of Hungnam, often considered part of the Hamhung metro area, plays a key role in maritime trade and port activity.
3. Chongjin
Located in the northeastern part of the country, Chongjin is often referred to as the “City of Iron” due to its significant steel production facilities. It serves as the capital of North Hamgyong Province and is one of the country’s most important industrial centers. The city is divided into several districts, including a port area that allows limited trade and fishing operations. Chongjin has seen improvements in recent years, such as the introduction of public street lighting and limited economic reforms through special economic zones. However, it remains relatively poor compared to Pyongyang, with reports of food shortages and infrastructural decay. The city also has a reputation for being one of the more closed-off regions, with strict controls over movement and communication.
4. Nampo
Nampo, a port city located southwest of Pyongyang on the Taedong River, functions as a major maritime gateway for North Korea. It houses the West Sea Barrage, an engineering project praised by the regime for its utility in flood control and irrigation. Nampo’s economy revolves around shipbuilding, fishing, and light industry, and it includes the headquarters of the country’s merchant navy. The city is also home to the Nampo Special Economic Zone, aimed at attracting limited foreign investment. Unlike many North Korean cities, Nampo has seen some infrastructural development in recent years, including housing and road improvements. It also serves as a strategic military location, given its proximity to the capital and access to the Yellow Sea.
5. Wonsan
Wonsan is a coastal city on the east side of the Korean Peninsula, known for its beaches and aspirations to become a tourist destination. Once a major port under Japanese rule, the city is now being developed into a special tourism zone under Kim Jong-un’s directive. It has an airport, a university, and several cultural sites, including the Songdowon International Children’s Camp, where the regime promotes global unity among youth. Wonsan is also home to naval facilities and is occasionally used for missile test launches. Its location between the sea and the mountains gives it a scenic backdrop rarely associated with North Korean cities. Despite efforts to modernize the area, much of Wonsan remains underdeveloped and subject to the same restrictions found elsewhere in the country.
6. Sinuiju
Sinuiju lies directly across the Yalu River from Dandong, China, and acts as a critical border crossing for trade and diplomatic exchange. Its proximity to China makes it more economically active than many other North Korean cities, with factories producing textiles, paper, and food products. Sinuiju is part of a broader plan to function as a Special Administrative Region, akin to China’s Shenzhen, though these ambitions have largely stalled. The city is often seen as a barometer of Chinese influence on North Korea, with smuggled goods and information occasionally passing through. Architecturally, Sinuiju combines typical socialist structures with hints of modern Chinese-style development. The city also has a reputation for being more cosmopolitan than its peers due to the influx of foreign goods and ideas.
7. Kaesong
Kaesong is a historic city near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and was once the capital of the Koryo Dynasty. Its cultural significance is reflected in well-preserved relics such as the Kaesong Namdaemun and the Songgyungwan Confucian academy. In recent years, it has gained prominence due to the Kaesong Industrial Complex, a joint North-South Korean economic project that has seen frequent suspensions depending on inter-Korean relations. The city maintains a more traditional Korean atmosphere than others, with old-style buildings and a softer, less industrial aesthetic. Kaesong also serves a symbolic role in reunification efforts, occasionally hosting diplomatic talks. Despite its historical value and international attention, much of the city struggles with basic infrastructure and economic stagnation.
8. Hyesan
Hyesan is a mountainous city in Ryanggang Province, near the Chinese border, known for its remote location and harsh winters. The city lies along the Yalu River and serves as a center for timber, copper, and hydropower production. Due to its isolation, Hyesan has been one of the few cities where cross-border smuggling has been common, especially in times of famine or crisis. The government maintains a tight grip on the population, and foreign media reports often describe Hyesan as a window into North Korea’s border dynamics. The city also houses Mount Paektu, a sacred site in North Korean mythology, which adds spiritual and nationalistic significance. Life here is notably difficult, with residents facing frequent food shortages and limited access to medical care.
9. Rason
Rason is a special economic zone in the northeastern corner of North Korea, bordering both China and Russia. It was established in the 1990s to encourage foreign investment and economic experimentation, making it unique in the North Korean context. The area includes the cities of Rajin and Sonbong and is governed separately from the rest of the country. Rason has seen modest success in attracting Chinese and Russian investment, particularly in logistics and trade infrastructure. It features relatively relaxed market controls and even has limited internet access for some business operations. Despite its potential, growth has been stifled by international sanctions and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
10. Kimchaek
Located along the northeastern coast, Kimchaek is named after a Korean general and is known primarily for its steel industry. The city was formerly known as Songjin and was renamed after the Korean War. It is home to Kimchaek University of Technology, which plays a role in training engineers and scientists for the regime. Kimchaek serves as an industrial satellite to Chongjin, contributing to regional manufacturing and metallurgical production. The city’s infrastructure is modest, and living conditions remain challenging for many residents. Despite its economic role, it remains largely isolated, with minimal exposure to the outside world.
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