Rungna Islet with an area of 1.3 km 2 is in the middle of the Taedong River that runs through Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It is so small that it is hard to mark it, even as a dot, on the map of Korea, but it is well known among the Korean people.

Beautiful Flower Basket Floating on the Taedong

Rungna Islet has long been famed for its unique charm and landscape. In the late 1950s President Kim Il Sung (April 15, 1912-July 8, 1994) toured the Taedong River by boat with a plan to turn it into a recreation ground for the people.

In April 1965 he visited the islet and examined a design for building a recreation ground there, unfolding a plan to transform it just like a flower basket floating on water. Then he planted 15 trees for hours, shedding sweat. He gave important instructions on scores of occasions on turning it into a grand recreation ground for the people by improving its beautiful landscape.

True to his lofty intention, Chairman Kim Jong Il (February 16, 1942-December 17, 2011) proposed building a modern stadium with a 150 000-seating capacity and bridges of the latest style crossing over the islet and energetically led the efforts to build them. In the last days of his life he advanced a plan to build a modern and comprehensive recreation ground on the islet. Saying that the project would require huge fund but that it should be done at the best level as it was for people’s benefit, he paid close attention to the construction.

The construction of the recreation ground was one of the important tasks the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un took over from the Chairman.

Create Highest Civilization in Our Style and on Our Own

On January 3, 2012 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un talked to senior officials of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, laying special stress on the need to complete the construction of the modern water park and recreation ground at the best qualitative level. And later he visited the islet under development four times.

He provided important instructions on the designing and construction of all the structures ranging from the dolphinarium, the first of its kind in the country, to minigolf course and beach volleyball court to various amenities. Sometimes he did drawings on his pocketbook to present good architectural ideas. As regards the diving tower to be installed at the water park, he went over scores of photos and selected its formation plan.

Once he said: We should not feel satisfied with the level of what we have built but make it clear so that we can truly lead the world. To make all our structures meet world standards, we should make their architectural styles and all other elements conform to those standards. Later on these remarks served as a principle in creating the Korean style of civilization in the golden era of construction in the country.

When the wonderfully-built recreation ground was to be named, he said that it would be best to name it the Rungna People's Recreation Ground in view of the lofty intentions of the President and the Chairman who had devoted all their lives to the good of the people and that the word people must be contained in the name.

On July 25, 2012, the inauguration ceremony of the recreation ground took place with splendour in his presence.

Still now the Korean people recall that they felt as if they were in another world to see the recreation ground including the water park, minigolf course and amusement park that were built under his guidance and that they were convinced that the great Kim Jong Un ’s era would be incredibly wonderful.

Foreigners also spoke highly of the recreation ground after visiting it, saying that they are envious of the Korean people who spend a good time there, adding that the place is symbolic of Kim Jong Un ' s world of creation for the people.

The islet of civilization, an ideal recreation ground, is always filled with people from all walks of life.

Yang Ryon Hui