Construction began in 1987 in preparation for the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students to be held in Pyongyang in 1989 . The project was economically ill-advised because North Korea had hitherto consistently focused on developing railway links for transport . Construction finished on April 15 , 1992 , the birthday of North Korea 's president Kim Il-sung . Its name was chosen to promote the reunification of Korea . The entire highway is part of Asian Highway 1
13th World Festival of Youth and Students
13th World Festival of Youth and Students
Reunification Highway