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Kim Jong Un orders expediting construction of ski complex

KCNA reports that Kim Jong Un inspected various facilities of the ski complex, located on a natural plateau at an altitude of 1.3 km above sea level

PYONGYANG, May 27 (Itar-Tass) - Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un has visited the first large tourist skiing complex which is being constructed by military builders in a picturesque mountain area in the country's east, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Monday.

The overall length of skiing routes there will be about 11 km. A hotel, a helicopter pad, a cableway, and a skiing gear renting station are being built to cater for tourists.

KCNA reports that Kim Jong Un inspected various facilities of the ski complex, located on a natural plateau at an altitude of 1.3 km above sea level. He emphasized that the sports complex of "world class" is under construction in the DPRK and ordered the pace of construction to be accelerated so that an opening ceremony could be held next winter. At the same time the Leader also issued aninstruction to establish the manufacture of skis and associate gear.

In recent years the DPRK has been devoting much attention to the development of winter sports. In particular, an open-air skating-rink operates in downtown Pyongynang. State-run media point out that last year North Korean figure skaters received "the best skates" as a gift from Kim Jong Un. The country's leadership has also stressed repeatedly the importance of cultivating a special style in the training of figure skaters for them to be able to demonstrate the DPRK's advantages in the international arena.

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