Juche: In a word: 'Self-Reliance'

Korean Central News Agency on September 16th 2002 explains it thus:
Immortal Juche Idea
Pyongyang, September 16 (KCNA) -- The Juche idea clarifies that the popular masses are the subject of social history. The working masses are the subject of history and the motive force of social progress.
History develops through the struggle of the masses to transform nature and society. This means that the position and role of the masses as the subject of history are enhanced.
The socio-historical movement has its own peculiar laws which are different from those of natural motion.
In nature the motion takes place spontaneously through the interaction of material elements which exist objectively but the social movement is caused and developed by the volitional action and role of the subject.
The subject of the social movement is the masses of the people. Without the masses there would be no social movement itself, nor would it be conceivable to talk about historical progress.
The masses of the people are the masters of revolution and construction and the decisive factor in transforming nature and developing society.
Although they are the subject of history, the masses of the people do not hold the position as the subject of history in all ages and societies and play the role as such.
Only by seizing state power and the means of production in their own hands and by establishing a socialist system can the working masses free themselves from exploitation and oppression and create history consciously as true masters of society and their own destiny.
If they are to hold their position and fulfil their role as subject of history, the popular masses must be brought into contact with leadership. Only under correct leadership, would the masses, though creators of history, be able to occupy the position and perform their role as subject of socio-historical development.
Only when they are under correct guidance from the party and the leader, would the working class and other people be able to vigorously develop the deep-going and complicated revolutionary struggle to transform nature and society, achieve national and class liberation, build a socialist society successfully, and run it properly.

Tower Of The Juche Idea:

"On the occasion of the 70th birthday of the respected Comrade Kim Il Sung, the author of the immortal Juche Idea, our people built this tower in the heart of the capital out of a unanimous desire and firm will to have his revolutionary exploits remembered for all ages and to fight resolutely for the ultimate victory of the Juche cause. It was unveiled on April 15, 1982.
The Tower of the Juche Idea is composed of a torch, the tower body, a group of three people, subsidiary groups, pavillions and huge fountains.
The torch which symbolizes the great victory of the Juche idea is [a] significant part of the tower.
The torch stands majestically on top of the 150 metre-high stone tower. It is 20 metre high and weighs 45 tons.
It is made in the shape of a burning flame.
The tower body accents the profound ideological content of the Tower of the Juche Idea. It is an important architectural factor guaranteeing the magnificence of the torch. The tower is in the form of an obelisk, the traditional form of stone towers in our country, and has been built in many tiers. With its projection at each corner representing eaves, it has a unique national flavour. The soaring tower presents an excellent sight with its beautiful vertical form.
The two faces, front and rear, of the tower bear the large letters "Juche", 4.2 metre-high each, which make clear the character of the tower and at the same time, down it.
Another feature of the tower is that its four faces are composed of 70 granite tiers with finely polished surface, which symbolize the 70th birthday of the great leader Kim Il Sung. ...
The sculptural group placed in front is most important in the figure sculptures of the tower. This 30-metre high trio group represents the emblem of the Workers' Party of Korea with a worker, a peasant and an intellectual holding a hammer, sickle and writing brush. This affirms the guiding role of the Party that leads the socialist revolution and construction victoriously, taking the Juche idea as the sole guideline.
The six subsidiary groups help to explain the main themes reflected in the torch. The groups standing to the right of the tower symbolize "Juche Industry", "Impregnable Fortress" and "Longevity", representing the vitality of the Juche idea materialized in industry, national defence and public health. The groups on the left of the tower symbolize "Bumper Harvest", "The Land of Learning", "Juche Art", representing the vitality of the Juche idea embodied in the spheres of agriculture, education, science and art. The subsidiary groups are all granite scultures, 10 metre in height respectively. ...
Harmonizing well with the riverside scenery of the Taedong, the Tower of the Juche Idea presents a picturesque view. The tower is set off beautifully by the part and luxuriant trees on the riverside, lovely stairs on the embankment, the flow of the stream, multistorey buildings providing the tower with a background and various forms of fountains including two huge ones which send up 150-metre-high jets of water in the midstream." (Source: Pyongyang Review, 1995)

 

Arch Of Triumph:

The Arch of Triumph was erected on the square of [the] historic triumphal return at the foot of Moran Hill and inaugurated on April 14, 1982. It reflects our people's ardent wish and steadfast resolve to glorify forever the immortal revolutionary exploits of the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung, who embarked on the road of revolution in his early years and led the 20-year long anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle to victory and returned home by accomplishing the cause of national liberation.
The Arch of Triumph is a magnificent and unique structure 60 metres high and 52.5 metres wide. It was built from more than 10,500 well-cut pieces of granite. This stone building has dozens of bright and splendid rooms, balustrades and belvederes, stairs and up-to-date elevators.
The gateway of the arch is 27 metres high and 18.6 metres wide. It is cleverly and magnificently designed and gracefully ornamented.
The Arch of Triumph has three parts. The first part consists of four walls which give form to the archway, and four massive pillars, the second part is the balcony forming its central structure and the third part is the three-tiered roof. ...
The balcony has the immortal revolutionary paean the "Song of General Kim Il Sung" carved in the frame surrounded by flower patterns, which is 24 metres long and 5.2 metres high and on either side of it figures of buglers sounding the joy of national liberation are shown in relief within squares 5.5 by 5.5 metres wide. ...
The three-tiered roof has a flat top, and is a variation of the hip-saddle roof. But it embodies the structural features of the traditional architectures - the pillars, beams, brackets and eaves are formed in a way congenial to modern aesthetic taste. Various materials, colours and carving techniques are used in ornamental engravings, and high architectural skills are shown in construction." (Source: Pyongyang Review, 1995)

 

Monument to Party Foundation:

"The Monument to Party Foundation, [erected] in honour of the Party's 50th anniversary, occupies over 250,000 square metres in Munsu Street on the bank of the Taedong River.
The distance from the statue of Comrade Kim Il Sung on Mansu Hill to the monument is 2,160 metres.
The monument consists of a round pedestal 70 metres in diametre, with muscular hands holding a hammer, sickle and writing brush, and a cylindrical structure.
The hammer, sickle and writing brush are each 50 metres high, symbolizing the Party's 50th anniversary.
The history of the Party if embossed in bronze letters on the wall of the cylindrical structure, whose diametre is also 50 metres.
In contrast to the former trifurcated layout of the hammer, sickle and writing brush, they ... stand vertically, side by side. This will accentuate the majestic view and refined formative beauty of them. Since the hammer, sickle and writing brush are supported by [a] cylindrical structure, the shape is original and symbolic of the single-minded unity of the leader, Party and people.
The compound around the monument [is] a park. " (Source: Pyongyang Review, 1995)

 

Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum:

"The Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum is a monumental building dedicated to the immortal exploits the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung performed for the country and the people in defeating the aggression of the imperialist Allied forces. Originally, it was opened at Haegangsan-dong, Central District, Pyongyang, in August 1953 under the name of the Fatherland Liberation War Memorial. The present museum opened on April 11, 1974.
The museum has more than 80 exhibition halls. Among them are the introduction hall, halls for the period of the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle and the period of the democratic revolution and the operation hall of the period of the Fatherland Liberation War, the hall of arms and services, the hall of Heroes of the Republic and the hall of the struggle of the people in the rear. There is also an enormous panorama showing the valiant battle to liberate Taejon.
On display are materials of historic value, photos, paintings, sculptures, relief models, panoramas, weapons used by the KPA men and so on." (Source: Pyongyang Review, 1995)

 

International Friendship Exhibition:

"If you go 1.5 kilometres from the Hyangsan Hotel along the river Myohyang you will reach the International Friendship Exhibition.
It is a 6-storied building with a total floor space of 28,000 square metres. It was opened in August 1978. [Another source says 33,000 sqm, so it's probably been expanded]
The building has hip-saddle roofs covered with blue roof tiles, and its pillars and rafters are adorned with colorful flower-patterned paintings.
Timber was not used in the building, but viewed from outside it looks like a wooden building with windows, although there is no window.
At the corners of the eaves of the building are hung windbells, which ring in the wind.
On display in the exhibition are tens of thousands of valuable gifts presented to President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il by heads of state, and distinguished political and public figures from over 150 countries in the world." (Source: A Sightseeing Guide To Korea, 1991)
"The gifts include filigree works, industrial art objects, various valuables, rare medicines, costumes, furniture, stuffed animals and congratulatory banners and messages.
People cannot but admire at a great variety of the gifts and warm wishes imbued in them.
The golden carved image of the great leader, the ivory carving 'The President's Native Home at Mangyongdae', the white gem carving 'A Carriage and Pair', the biggest ivory and ivory carvings, a kneehole desk and a chair inlaid with mother-of-pearl, kettles and tea-cups - all these express fervent wishes of the people of the world for the great leader's long life." (Source: IFE leaflet, Korea Pictorial)

(I made a note to say that there were more than 160,000 objects from more than 175 countries as of May 2002).

 

Kumsusan Memorial Palace:

"The Kumsusan Memorial Palace is a grand memorial palace where Comrade Kim Il Sung, the great leader of our Party and people, lies in state for perpetuity. ...
The Kumsusan Assembly Hall, which has been consecrated as the memorial palace, is a historic site in that it was here that the great leader guided Party and state affairs and made immortal contributions to the Korean revolution and global independence, living here for many years until the last day of his life. ...
Here he also warmly received working people from all walks of society, soldiers of the Korean People's Army and students, and visitors from south Korea and abroad, showing profound affection to them. ...
Since the great leader passed away in July Juche 83 (1994), the respected Comrade Kim Jong Il has been extremely keen to hold him in high esteem forever and made valuable efforts in that direction. ...
Thanks to his meticulous guidance and care, the Kumsusan Memorial Palace was opened to the public on July 8, Juche 84 (1995), the first anniversary of the death of the great leader. ...
Thanks to his scrupulous guidance, a forest was grown in an area of about 60 hectares and a road scores of metres wide built in front of the memorial palace. An arboretum was also built in an area of 100 hectares.
Indeed, that the Kumsusan Memorial Palace was built to keep in state the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung who decorated most brilliantly the annals of the 20th century as the gifted thinker and theoretician, prominent politician and iron-willed brilliant commander - this is an event of great importance in Korea's history of 5,000 years. Its historical significance lies in the realization of the common cause of mankind for independence.
The Kumsusan Memorial Palace associated with the respected Comrade Kim Jong Il's loyalty and filial devotion to the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung and the people's warm hearts is the symbol of the dignity of Kim Il Sung's nation and its pride." (Source: KMP leaflet, Korea Pictorial, 1997)

 

Monument to Three Charters for National Reunification:

"The arch style monument to the three charters for national reunification was built at the entrance to Thongil Street in Pyongyang. The monument 30 metres high covers an area of more than 100,000 square metres. It is rich in national style and perfect in formative artistic depiction.
The monument with a tower body and platforms clearly reflects all the fellow countrymen's desire for reunification.
Upper part of the tower body depicts a mark of three charters engraved with letters reading "three charters," a Korean map and magnolia designs. On both sides of each platform stand group sculptures which are on the themes of the three principles of national reunification, the proposal for founding the democratic federal republic of Koryo, the ten-point programme of the great unity of the whole nation and the slogan "Long Live Reunified Korea."
The monument depicts two women, their arms stretched out as if to embrace each other and shout "Long Live Reunification" this clearly proves that reunification is the greatest desire and supreme task of the nation whose implementation brooks no further delay.
The same posture of the two women in Korean national costumes intuitively tells that the north and the south are one and the same nation who lives in the same territory with the same mind.
There are rooms which have displays of more than 700 commemorative stones dedicated by party and state heads and progressive figures of scores of countries and overseas compatriots wishing the reunification of the Korean peninsula.
Standing in the education ground is the monument to President Kim Il Sung's proposition on national reunification.
There is a garden covering 8 hectares around the monument." (Source: KCNA, August 23 2001)

 

Monument to the Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War:

"The monument was unveiled on July 26, 1993, in honour of the 40th anniversary of victory in the Fatherland Liberation War.
The monument covers 150,000 square metres on the bank of the beautiful Pothong River. The dear leader Comrade Kim Jong Il personally chose the site.
Hanging on the grand gate which is 20 metres high, 40 metres long and 12 metres wide, is the monument's sign reproduced from Comrade Kim Il Sung's writing. This is crowned with an embossed Korean People's Army cap badge and the flag of the DPRK.
The statue's main theme is 'Victory'. A soldier shouting hurray at the top of his voice is standing in the centre, with five group sculptures of subsidiary themes on either side. There are 70 sculpted people in all. The groups of subsidiary themes show the struggle of various servicemen and people of all strata. They are literally historic grand monuments, which convey the story of the heroic war of resistance waged by the entire population - soldiers and people, men and women, young and old, both at the front and at the rear - under the command of General Kim Il Sung.
Behind the main statue 'Victory' lies the new 'Jonsung Bridge' which spans the Pothong River. It leads to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum.
This monument demonstrates the Korean people's victory over the Allied forces of imperialism in the Fatherland Liberation War and the victory they have won in their 40-year struggle to defend and glorify the Korean-style of socialism after the truce. It demonstrates the firm faith of the Workers' Party of Korea and Korean people and their determination to achieve final victory for the Juche cause." (Source: Pyongyang Review, 1995)

 

May Day Stadium:

"The all-time record for the number of spectators at a soccer match is held by the Mário Filho or Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro: no fewer than 199,854 for the 1950 World Cup [match] between Brazil and Uruguay. Rio's legendary stadium now has an official capacity of 122,268 and stands third in the world rankings behind the May Day stadium in Pyongyang, with 150,000, and the Azadi in Teheran, with 128,000." (Source: Spectacular Stadiums by Enzo D'Orsi)

"The May Day Stadium has 150,000 seats and a total floor space of more than 207,000 square metres, the biggest of all the capital's stadia. It was built in two and a half years on the picturesque Rungra Island in the Taedong River, and commissioned on May 1, 1989.
The stadium has eight storeys and is more than 60 metres high from the ground to the roof. The 60-metre long canopy is enough to cover the section of the stands. The 16 arch roofs link with one another like flower petals. They look like a large flower floating on the clear water of the Taedong, or a parachute which has just landed, so it gives the impression of a dynamic sculture.
Every condition is provided for international games. The football pitch is covered with natural grass , and the 400 metre track and other parts for field events are rubberized.
The stadium has various training halls, recreation rooms, an indoor swimming pool, an ultrasonic bath, a sauna, beds and so on, which are indispensable for the players' training and convenience. It also has dining rooms, and a broadcasting room and telex booths.
The rubberized indoor running track is several hundred metres long and is on the sixth floor.
The stadium can be reached from Rungra and Chongryu Bridges and from Kumrung Tunnel. ...
Many large political, sporting and cultural events and national and international sports competitions, such as the opening and closing ceremonies of the 13th Youth World Festival of Youth and Students and the north-south reunification football match took place there.
The stadium blends in well with the picturesque surroundings on Chongryu Cliffs on Moran Hill, the clear water of the Taedong, the modern apartments in Munsu Street, and the marvellous bridges; all this makes a wonderful picture." (Source: Pyongyang Review, 1995)

 

Mausoleum of King Kongmin:

"It lies 14 km west of the [Kaesong] city centre. It is a twin mausoleum of the 31st king of Koryo and his queen designed by the king after the death of his queen. He ascended the throne in 1352 and when his wife died in 1365 he started the construction and completed in 7 years. The twin mausoleum stands side by side in the space of 0.6 m. It was restored in Juche 78 (1989). One corner of the mausoleum was dug out by the Japanese imperialists in 1905. But it is a precious historical remain preserved most as it was." (Source: www.dprkorea.com)

 

THINGS WE DID NOT SEE (but you might do on your trip):

Our parallel group went to see a couple of sights that for whatever reason we did not, and vice versa (they did not go into Department Store Number 1 for example)

 

Mangyongdae Fun Fair "The Mangyongdae Fun Fair lies on the Kalmaeji and Songdan Plains, a little away from the great leader's birthplace. It was completed in April 1982. The fun fair, covering 60 hectares of land, has nearly 50 kinds of amusements. It receives over 100,000 visitors a day. The fun fair composed of two parts is linked by a Monorail Car and Gondola Lift Cableway. A wading pool of more than 56,000 square metres is placed at the foot of Song Hill across which the cable car runs." (Source: Pyongyang Review, 1995) I question the visitor numbers, maybe on a special holiday, but not regularly for sure! At least this funfair has a decent rollercoaster with loops! Any members of the various Roller Coaster Clubs in Britain or elsewhere interested in going should contact me. If enough people want to go, this may be worth arranging a trip for. This one none of you will have been on yet!

Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetary

" More than 100 revolutionary martyrs who bravely fought for the liberation of the homeland and the freedom and emancipation of the people lie buried in graves topped by their busts on Jujak Peak at Mt. Taesong. The cemetary was inaugurated on October 13,1975 and rebuilt and enlarged in 1985.
At the entrance to the cemetary there is the magnificent Korean-style gate, and a little onward stand the memorial pillars on both sides. The, over 300 steps of 40 metres wide granite stairs lead up to the granite sculptural groups showing the struggle of the revolutionary martyrs, which stand on both sides. ...
In front of the gateway there is a pedestal for placing floral tributes with a medal of the Hero of the DPRK carved in relief, which is flanked by bronze group sculptures of five mourners. At the rear of the cemetary stands a large flag cut in red granite.
The working people of the capital and localities and the entire Korean people who visit this place to pay tribute and respects to the memory of the revolutionary martyrs who fell on the road of revolution led by the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung, renew their resolve to be infinitely faithful to the Party and the leader just as the martyrs were." (Source: Pyongyang Review, 1995)

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