Pyongyang

/ˌpjɔːŋˈjɑːŋ/ noun

Definition

The capital and largest city of North Korea, located on the Taedong River in the northwestern part of the country.

Etymology

From Korean 'P'yong' (평, meaning 'level' or 'even') and 'yang' (양, meaning 'side' or 'direction'), so literally 'level ground' or 'sunny side.' The city has been a major settlement since ancient times.

Kelly Says

Pyongyang means 'sunny side,' which is tragically ironic given the secretive, isolated nature of North Korea—one of the least sunny, most closed-off places on Earth, making the name feel like a grim joke of misdirection!

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