Liberation Day (Aug 15) in Pyongyang |
Often the first stop on a visit to Pyongyang, everyone is required to bow to the statue of Kim Il Sung after flowers are laid |
North Koreans expect foreigners to offer their respects to Kim Il Sung |
You could probably expect a drive back to the airport if you refuse to bow to Kim Il Sung here |
President for Eternity, the Great Leader Kim Il Sung |
Grand Monument of Mansu Hill, Pyongyang |
22.5m tall statue built in 1972 |
Monumental scupture "Socialist Revolution and Socialist Construction" on the right side of Mansu Hill |
These bronze figures average 5m tall |
"Socialist Revolution and Socialist Construction" |
Monumental sculptures typical to those erected in other Socialist countries at that time |
"Socialist Revolution and Socialist Construction", Pyongyang |
"Socialist Revolution and Socialist Construction", Pyongyang |
The Great Leader Kim Il Sung |
"Under the fierce attacks mounted by the KPRA and active nation-wide uprising, Japan declared its unconditional surrender..." |
After listening to everything about the Great Leader, one would be forgiven for thinking he single-handedly defeated Japan |
We were briefed in Beijing that this statue can only be photographed in its entirety |
...and definitely don't stand there with the same gesture |
After several members of our group laid their flowers and we performed our bows, we were given 10 minutes for photos |
I later found out that I had insulted Mr. Oh going off to take these photos rather than get one of me in front of the statue |
...it wasn't intentional...they didn't say anything in briefing and I almost never have my photo taken in front of monuments |
...I must say I had visions of the statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad while I was here... |
Mosaic of Mount Paektu behind the statue of Kim Il Sung |
Mansudae Grand Monument, Pyongyang |
The Great Leader Kim Il Sung |
The second monumental sculpture group at Mansu Hill |
Monumental sculpture "Anti-Japanese Revolutionary Struggle", Manu Hill Grand Monument |
Each figure averages 5m tall |
"Anti-Japanese Revolutionary Struggle" |
"Anti-Japanese Revolutionary Struggle" |
"Anti-Japanese Revolutionary Struggle" on the left side of the Mansu Hill Grand Monument |
Mansu Hill Grand Monument, Pyongyang, a national shrine to the Great Leader Kim Il Sung |
The vast square in front of the statue of President Kim Il Sung |
On the left, "Anti-Japanese Revolutionary Struggle" |
On the right, "Socialist Revolution and Socialist Construction" |
"Socialist Revolution and Socialist Construction" |
Liberation Day marks the end of 40 years of Japanese occupation (1905-1945) |
Our three DPRK guides - senior guide Mr. Kim, Miss Kim Song Sim, and Mr. Oh |
A lone woman bows in front of the statue of Kim Il Sung |
A group of school children in the red scarfs of the Young Pioneers arriving |
The Young Pioneers approach the statue of Kim Il Sung |
Young Pioneers at the statue of Kim Il Sung |
Young Pioneers bowing to the statue of Kim Il Sung |
Mansu Grand Monument, Pyongyang |
The Young Pioneers depart for the next stop on their Liberation Day Kim Il Sung pilgrimage |
North Korean Young Pioneers, Pyongyang |
"Socialist Revolution and Socialist Construction" |
"Socialist Revolution and Socialist Construction" |
"Socialist Revolution and Socialist Construction" |
North Korean flag |
"Socialist Revolution and Socialist Construction" |
A mother with two children |
"Push out all American goods, Make the country united!" |
"Happy Birthday for Kim Jong Il" |
"Socialist Revolution and Socialist Construction" |
A large North Korean work unit dressed in Mao-suits arrives at the Mansu Grand Monument |
The work unit ascends the steps of Mansu Hill |
North Korean work unit in Mao suits at the Mansu Hill Grand Monument |
North Korean work unit in Mao suits at the Mansu Hill Grand Monument |
North Korean work unit in Mao suits at the Mansu Hill Grand Monument |
North Korean work unit in Mao suits at the Mansu Hill Grand Monument |
...bow complete... |
The work unit leaving the statue of Kim Il Sung |
The guides grabbed some women in traditional dress |
North Korean woman dressed traditionally for Liberation Day |
North Korean women posing with American tourists at the Mansu Hill Grand Monument |
Traditional Korean dresses, Pyongyang |
Two North Korean women in uniform at Mansu Hill |
North Koreans in uniform at Mansu Hill Grand Monument |
Mansu Hill Grand Monument, Pyongyang |
Panorama of the Mansu Hill Grand Monument, Pyongyang |