Opening Ceremony of the Ice Rink Held on the 14th
The Pyongyang Ice Rink, North Korea's first indoor ice rink, has recently reopened after completing renovations.
The opening ceremony of the newly renovated Pyongyang Botonggang Riverside Ice Rink was held on the 14th to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Korea. Photo by Korean Central News Agency
According to Yonhap News Agency on August 15, the Korean Central News Agency reported, "The opening ceremony for the newly renovated ice rink was held on the 14th to mark the significant 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Korea." Located on Youth Street in Botongmun-dong, Jung District, Pyongyang, the ice rink first opened its doors on April 13, 1982, which was the 70th birthday of President Kim Il Sung. As North Korea's first indoor ice rink, the Pyongyang Ice Rink has a building area of 25,000 square meters, stands 63.5 meters tall, and has seating for 6,000 spectators. The facility is a three-story, cone-shaped building with a domed roof structure. Due to its unique appearance, it is a prominent landmark that frequently appears in media introducing Pyongyang, North Korea.
A Pyongyang Landmark Opened in 1982
The news agency stated that through this renovation, the ice rink has "transformed itself into a multifunctional, comprehensive sports and cultural complex that can fully accommodate not only ice sports but also various indoor sports competitions and diverse artistic performances." At the end of the opening ceremony, a figure skating demonstration performance was also held. The event was attended by Premier Pak Thae Song, Vice Premier Kim Jong Gwan, and Minister of Finance and Ice Skating Association Chairman Ri Myong Guk.
At the opening ceremony of the Pyongyang Botonggang Riverside Ice Rink on the 14th, a figure skating congratulatory performance is taking place. Photo by Korean Central News Agency, Yonhap News Agency
In addition to the indoor ice rink where elite athletes train, the facility is equipped with lounges, training rooms, treatment rooms, sports equipment repair rooms, and referee rooms. While it is mainly used as a venue for ice hockey, figure skating, and speed skating, it also hosts competitions in other sports such as table tennis, basketball, and volleyball. Every February, the Baekdusan International Figure Skating Competition, which attracts athletes from around the world, is held at this ice rink.
North Korea Rebuilding Winter Sports Infrastructure
Since the mid-1990s, North Korea reduced investment in winter sports, which require relatively high costs, as its economic difficulties intensified. However, under the leadership of State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un, the country has renewed its efforts to build winter sports infrastructure, completing outdoor venues such as the People's Outdoor Ice Rink, Masikryong Ski Resort, and Kanggae Ski Resort. According to the Associated Press, North Korea aims to use winter sports as a means to boost tourism, but the effectiveness has been limited due to international isolation and restricted access for foreigners.
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