The Pyongyang Metro is the deepest in the world at 120 metres and doubles as an bomb shelters in times of war. The design is said to be based on the Moscow metro system. I was immediately struck by the lack of advertising in comparison to similar western metro systems. Puhung station from the top… Continue reading North Korea: Pyongyang Metro
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North Korea: The Ryugyong Hotel
The Ryugyong Hotel is the tallest structure in North Korea. Construction started in 1987 but ended in 1992. Had it been completed it would have been the world’s tallest hotel. It has 105 floors but as it is at present completely empty and half finished. There are apparently no fixtures or fittings (or windows) inside.… Continue reading North Korea: The Ryugyong Hotel
North Korea: Victorious Fatherland Liberation Museum (Korean War Museum)
This museum focused on the Korean War. There were many captured American planes, jeeps and tanks inside as well as North Korean military vehicles. Huge Kim Il Sung mural at the entrance to the museum. Original army propaganda poster from the war. The end of the tour was a 360 degree panorama of the Korean… Continue reading North Korea: Victorious Fatherland Liberation Museum (Korean War Museum)
North Korea: Socialist Realism Artwork
I picked up some of these postcards in a stamp shop I visited in Pyongyang. All art in North Korea must adhere to socialist realism principles. The many posters and banners we saw in North Korea are designed to educate the population and are not seen as “art” as such. This meant we were unable… Continue reading North Korea: Socialist Realism Artwork
North Korea: Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ)
The gate to the North Korean side of the Korean Demilitarised Zone. The large concrete block above the entrance is an anti tank measure which can be dropped on to the road should the imperialists ever think they want to pop across the border and turn Pyongyang back to the dark side. We stopped in… Continue reading North Korea: Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ)
North Korea: Mass Games
I watched an incredible performance of the Mass Games while I was in North Korea in April 2007.
North Korea: Mansu Hill (Mansudae)
This is a huge monument to Kim Il Sung at the top of a hill overlooking Pyongyang which can be seen from all over the city. Either side of the Kim Il Sung statue are two further statues. The first is of the workers… …and the second depicts soldiers ready to sacrifice themselves for the… Continue reading North Korea: Mansu Hill (Mansudae)
North Korea: Kim Il Sung Square
On the birthday of Kim Il Sung it seemed the whole of Pyongyang had turned up in the square. Our guides told us that this dancing started early in the morning and continued all day. These photos don’t show it very well but there were thousands of people there that day. The atmosphere was unbelievable.… Continue reading North Korea: Kim Il Sung Square
North Korea: Pyongyang Traffic Ladies
Due to the shortages of electricity in Pyongyang the North Koreans use “traffic ladies” to direct traffic at busy crossroads and prevent huge pile ups.
North Korea: Arch of Triumph
The arch is modelled on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. However at 60m high and 50m wide it is the biggest arch in the world and bigger than that Parisian impostor. The arch was designed to commemorate Korean resistance to Japan between 1925 and 1945 and eventual liberation from Japanese rule. Korean workers thank… Continue reading North Korea: Arch of Triumph