Pyongyang (capital of North Korea). Between the first and second. North Korea before the Hanoi summit Korea Pyongyang
Let's start with the fact that the DPRK is a state that lives apart from the rest of the world. One of the important points of ideology is to rely only on one's own strength, and the motto of North Korea sounds like "a mighty and prosperous power." The will of the people for the epoch-making achievements of the country is symbolized by the Chollima monument, which means “A thousand li per hour”. The emblem of the Workers' Party of Korea depicts a crossed hammer, sickle and brush.
Kim Il Sung: "Father of the People"
The whole country still fanatically honors its leaders, and the main leaders are the Kim family. Father - Kim Il Sung, for the whole people he is an incredibly outstanding personality. The people of the country continue to offer sincere respect to him, moreover, he is declared "eternal president." His images can be found in all state buildings, and a monument to him was erected during his lifetime. The square, named after the leader, is to this day the most famous in Pyongyang, any mass event in the city takes place there. Kim Jong Il continues his father's mission as the "great leader" of North Korea.
Before the capital got its current name, it had to change many "names": Kiseong, Hwangseong, Nannan, Sogyeong, Sodo, Hogyeong, Chanan, and even Heijo. However, the most famous was Ryugyong, which literally means "willow capital". The city acquired this name at a time when willow trees grew everywhere in it. Even now, the word Ryugyong can be found on the map of the city. Actually, the tallest building in the city - a hotel of one hundred and five floors - bears exactly this name. Pyongyang also means "wide land" or "comfortable area".
Source: pinterest.comDuring the Korean War, the city was almost completely destroyed, but was able to recover with the help of Soviet Union. By the way, this participation is easily detected in the architecture of those years. For example, we can safely say that Pyongyang's underground transport was modeled after the Moscow metro. Stalin's empire fell to the taste of Korean designers. The people of Pyongyang have allowed themselves to make the subway a real, as they call it, underground palace. Marble columns, flower-shaped glass chandeliers and huge folk panels turn the dungeon into a showcase of the system. True, it is quite small - only two branches, about a dozen stations with one transfer point.
In the very center of Pyongyang, there is a 70-meter bronze sculpture of Kim Il Sung. The monument points with its hand “to a bright tomorrow”, to the south, towards Seoul. Behind the statue is the Museum of the Korean Revolution, on the wall of which is a huge mosaic panel of Paekdu Mountain. It symbolizes revolutionary traditions, since, according to legend, the Headquarters was located on Mount Paektu, located on the border with China, where Kim Il Sung lived and worked during the years of the anti-Japanese struggle.
The landmark of the city are two stadiums - "Stadium (you guessed it) named after Kim Il Sung" and "May First Stadium". These two sports facilities are the largest in the world. Another attraction is the Arc de Triomphe, a symbol of Korea's independence from Japanese occupation.
Old Pyongyang: visiting rules
Interestingly, tourists are forbidden to visit most of the city's historical buildings in informal attire. The government not only develops certain routes for visitors, thereby controlling their movement, but also does not allow photographing military installations, as well as monuments not in full size. Speaking of traffic control: there are absolutely no traffic lights in the city. All traffic in the capital is controlled by female traffic controllers.
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Pyongyang is the capital, as well as its cultural and historical center. Translated from Korean, its name sounds like "wide land". The opinions of historians vary greatly about the time of the city's origin. Some believe that it was founded more than two thousand years ago, and, according to others, only at the beginning of our era. Pyongyang is located on the banks of the Taedong River, which flows into the Yellow Sea. The capital of North Korea gives a complete picture of the culture and traditions of this country, and also allows you to fully appreciate the idealized version of the socialist system on the example of the state, where it is installed in full accordance with generally accepted canons.
Peculiarities
Being the main prototype of a socialist state, the city fully corresponds to the image that is drawn in the imagination of people who imagine all the aspects and main criteria by which a people's democratic republic lives. During the Korean War, which took place in the middle of the last century, the capital of the state was almost completely destroyed and practically recreated anew a few years later. AT modern architecture The cities are dominated by traditional Asian features, but at the same time there are many high-tech structures built on the prototype of well-known European designs. Quite a lot of interesting sights, educational and municipal institutions. In North Korea, Pyongyang is known for its abundance of cultural monuments, museums and theaters. For many years, the city administration has been actively promoting high moral values, attracting citizens to cultural life and mass events aimed at increasing patriotism and national pride. Well developed in the capital and different kinds sports. All residential areas are equipped with modern sports grounds and created excellent opportunities for physical education and sports.
Tourism
It has become a little easier for an ordinary tourist from Europe to get to Pyongyang now than in the mid-80s and early 90s of the last century. At that time, North Korea was an absolutely closed country and, although the locals were always friendly to foreigners, the North Korean authorities did not encourage such visits at all. In general, a kind of analogue of the Soviet Union. Now, in order to obtain a visa, it is enough to apply at any North Korean embassy at least three weeks before departure. At the same time, one must not be an American, a South Korean, or a journalist. Due to the rather long period of the Iron Curtain, tourism in Pyongyang did not develop at all, however, in last years new hotels began to rapidly appear in the city, and the tourist infrastructure began to progress.
A brief excursion into history
Pyongyang has gone through many names in its history: Ryugen, Kison, Hwangseong, Rannan, Sogyong, Sodo, Hogyong, Chang'an, and Heijo (during Japanese colonization). There is a controversial opinion that in ancient times the city was the capital of the Gojoseon state. In 427, the capital of the Goguryeo state was moved to Pyongyang, and two centuries later, the Korean government of Silla conquered Goguryeo in alliance with the Chinese Tang dynasty. During the reign of the Koryo dynasty, Pyongyang increased its influence, but did not become the capital of this state. Korea became independent in 1945, and Pyongyang became the temporary capital of the DPRK, although Seoul officially held this status. During the Korean War, Pyongyang was badly damaged by bombing, but was quickly restored, including thanks to the help of the Soviet Union.
Climate
Like the rest of the Korean peninsula, Pyongyang has a monsoon climate, with distinct seasons. Most of the precipitation falls between June and September, while the average air temperature is only +20 degrees. In winter, snow falls extremely rarely, and the thermometer often drops below zero.
How to get there
From Russia to Pyongyang can be reached by flights via Beijing. There are direct flights only from Vladivostok, which are operated by Air Koryo, flight time is 35 minutes.
Sunan International Airport (IATA: FNJ) is located 24 km north of Pyongyang.
Transport
Transport links are well developed in the city. At the same time, there are very few private cars on the streets of the city, but trolleybuses, trams and buses run regularly and on schedule. Subway stations work without interruption.
Attractions and entertainment
One of the main architectural attractions of Pyongyang is Three Charters Arc, symbolizing the unity of South and North Korea. It is located on Thonyir Avenue, at the southern entrance to the capital. Not far from the arch is located kaesong park, in the center of which rises an impressive city TV tower. Outwardly, it looks very much like the Ostankino Tower in Moscow, apparently it was made in its likeness. At a height of more than a hundred meters, in the upper part of the building, there is a revolving restaurant, from which, through the transparent windows of the institution, a wonderful view of the urban landscapes opens. For local residents, a real relic is a statue Kim Il Sung on Mansu hill. The bronze leader stands in the pose of a speaker, raising one hand up, and looks with interest at the modern city. The height of the statue reaches 70 meters. Citizens regularly come here and lay flowers at the monument to the leader of the people, while respectfully bowing to the statue, as if in front of them is some kind of deity from ancient Korean myths. However, such an attitude towards the leaders is characteristic of the Korean nation, in which it strongly resembles Soviet citizens from the times of stagnation. Until now, in Korean schools and higher educational institutions, young people are instilled with an idealized idea of the political system that exists here and the people who established it.
The whole of Pyongyang is literally full of all sorts of monuments and monuments, either related to the ideological leaders, Ki Mer Sung and Kim Jong Il, or dedicated to certain events that influenced the socialist status of North Korea. The most majestic of them is the Juche Idea Monument, built in 1982. It is a massive obelisk 170 meters high, the top of which is decorated with an elegant torch with artificial illumination. At the foot of the obelisk there is a sculptural group of representatives of three social classes: a worker, a peasant and a labor intellectual. Around the main composition there are several more similar sculptures, combined with beautiful fountains. This whole architectural project looks especially impressive in the evening with spotlights illuminated.
Occupying a not too large area, Pyongyang is replete with a whole scattering of all kinds of sights and objects worthy of attention. Museums, theaters, memorials, palaces of culture and various art exhibitions predominate among them. There is not a single street or alley where there is no place for at least one of these institutions. In the world, the capital of North Korea is known as one of the safest cities on the planet. Walking through the city blocks, it's hard not to agree with this. The schedule of the working day is scheduled for the townspeople literally by the minute. The streets begin to fill up already at 7 o'clock in the morning, and at a certain evening time, people also go home together. On weekends, the townspeople take to the streets with their families, and the local parks are filled with a large number of people. At the same time, there are no traffic jams, no congestion, no accidents. It seems that there is no crime scene here, and people live according to a long-established schedule without the slightest need to change anything.
Accommodation
Usually, accommodation is handled by a travel company that organizes tours. There are hotels of all categories in Pyongyang. The tallest building in the country is the Rügen Hotel with 105 floors.
Kitchen
An ordinary tourist can get acquainted with local dishes at the hotel restaurant. There are also several canteens in the city that are intended for local workers, and the menu is rather limited. There are several restaurants that are suitable for tourists - Chongryu, located on the banks of the Potong River, here a good choice traditional Korean food. One of the best set meals at Haedanghwa Restaurant. One of the oldest restaurants, Okryu, is located on the banks of the Taedong River. The first Italian restaurant in Pyongyang is Pyolmuri, where you can order pizza, pasta and even Italian wine.
shopping
The range of goods is extremely limited, you can find few things in department stores that are interesting for shopping. Art and craft items can be purchased at the hotel shops. One of the most desirable souvenirs for tourists is a badge depicting one of the rulers of Korea, but it is extremely difficult for foreigners to purchase them, it is even more difficult to take them out of the country, so it is recommended not to risk it. The city has markets where food and other goods are sold, prices are extremely low by Western standards.
Precautionary measures
Pyongyang is a very safe city for foreigners, you just need to follow the rules of conduct.
Pyongyang is the capital of North Korea.
Pyongyang is a large city with a population of over 4 million people. It is the largest city in North Korea. The Taedong River flows through the city.
Story
Pyongyang was founded in 2334 BC. Scientists were able to accurately determine the year of the foundation of the city, decipher the ancient Korean petroglyphs (rock inscriptions).
The city bore the original name of Wahomson. Wagomseong was the capital city of the ancient Korean state of Gojoseon. And yet, some historians believe that Pyongyang is much younger in age and was founded around the beginning of our era, which is a difference of 2334 years.
In 108 B.C. The state of Kochosan was conquered by the Chinese state of Han.
In 313, the Koreans, after four hundred years of Chinese rule, were able to win back their ancestral lands from the Chinese. Another Korean state was founded - Goguryeo.
In 427, Pyongyang becomes the capital of Goguryeo.
In 668, Pyongyang became part of another Korean state - Silla.
In 1896, the Japanese conquered Korea. Pyongyang became the center of the Japanese province of Pyongannamdo.
In 1945, Korea got rid of Japanese oppression, and in 1946 the DPRK (North Korea) was formed. Pyongyang became the capital of North Korea.
During its long history, the city has changed more than one name: Wagomson, Kison, Hwangson, Rannan, Sogyon, Sodo, Hogyon, Ryugyong, Chanan, Heijo (during Japanese rule). Not a single capital of the world has been renamed as many times as Pyongyang.
Map
Museums
There are few museums in Pyongyang, since there are still very few tourists in this country. Recently, the ruler of North Korea, Kim Jong Il, has softened the rules for the stay of tourists in the country, and every year there are more tourists, which means that there will also be more museums. To date, three museums have been opened for tourists in Pyongyang.
Museum of the Korean Revolution - the main museum of North Korea. There are many photographs here showing the Korean leader Kim Il Sung, and many interesting documents.
Museum of the Patriotic Liberation War Dedicated to the Korean War. The North Koreans call this war the Patriotic Liberation War. The museum exposition includes the MiG-15 jet fighter, patriotic sculptural compositions, downed military equipment of the United States and its allies, tanks, aircraft, US spy helicopters, Soviet military equipment, and the American spy ship Pueblo.
Central Historical Museum - Founded in 1945. There are 19 rooms here, which tell about Korean history from the primitive communal system to the present day.
Attractions
Now you can take a walk around Pyongyang itself, of course, with a Korean guide. Each tourist (or an organized tourist group) is assigned local guides who make sure that tourists do not photograph anything extra. A walk around the city is also organized along a route planned in advance by Korean comrades. Guests, of course, will be shown only the front of Pyongyang!
Ryugyong Hotel is the tallest building in Pyongyang. The height of the hotel is 332 meters, or 105 floors. The hotel is still under construction, and it began to be built in 1987.
Kim Il Sung Square - the central square of Pyongyang. Military parades and organized demonstrations take place here.
Moranbon Theater - the first and so far the only theater in Pyongyang that was built after the Second World War.
Cultural and Exhibition Complex - a venue for exhibitions of artists and photographers from all over North Korea. There is also an exhibition of pottery and embroidery.
Korean Symphony Orchestra - Established in 1946. The repertoire of this orchestra includes national compositions.
Monuments
There are quite a few different monuments in Pyongyang:
- monuments to Kim Il Sung (there are more than ten of them);
- a monument to Kim Jong Il - the current leader of North Korea;
- Towers of Immortality (several pieces), installed in memory of Kim Il Sung;
- Juche idea monument;
— monument-bell "Pyongyang";
- Monument to the founding of the Korean Workers' Party;
- a statue of Hollym;
— Arc de Triomphe in honor of the victory over Japan.
Religious buildings
Religion in Pyongyang is very bad. The current regime forbids Koreans from visiting Buddhist temples, all of which are in a dilapidated state. There is also one Orthodox church in Pyongyang - the Church of the Holy Trinity.
Stations
The city has a railway station. The city has direct rail links with China and Russia. From Pyongyang by train you can go to Beijing and Moscow, as well as to other Russian cities on the way to Moscow - Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, Birobidzhan, Chita, Ulan-Ude, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Tyumen, Yekaterinburg, Perm, Kirov , Yaroslavl, Vladimir, Nizhny Novgorod.
parks
In the North Korean capital, there are two beautiful parks for recreation and walks - Kaesong Youth Park and Moranbong Youth Park. Both parks are clean and well maintained, with plenty of flower beds and benches to sit on.
Markets
In the markets of Pyongyang, products are expensive. In the capital, almost no vegetables and fruits are sold, only rice and other cereals.
Climate
The climate of Pyongyang is monsoon, similar to the climate of Vladivostok. Winters are cold and snowy, summers are not very hot and very humid. The air temperature in summer does not rise above 25 degrees. Residents of Pyongyang can swim on the city beach in the Taedong River, but the most suitable time for swimming is July and August, when the water in the river warms up to 20 degrees Celsius.
The second US-DPRK summit began in Vietnam. Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un have already held a face-to-face meeting, before which the American president called his counterpart a "great leader" and assured that the United States would help the DPRK realize its economic potential. But what does North Korea itself live on and is it ready to start everything from scratch? In the fall of 2018, Life visited Pyongyang to see everything with his own eyes.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, informally known as North Korea, came into existence on September 9, 1948. American and Soviet troops divided a unified Korea into two zones of influence along the 38th parallel. In 1950, North Korean troops invaded the South and the Korean War began. Millions of people died in three years.
But the conflict ended where it began, on the 38th parallel. Two ideologically hostile states emerged. South Korea, with the support of the United States, chose the capitalist path of development. North Korea, relying on the USSR and China, is communist.
In 2018, a nighttime satellite image clearly demonstrated the current difference between North and South. The brightest point of the North is the capital of the DPRK, Pyongyang.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea remains the most closed state on the planet.
It is difficult for a journalist to get to the DPRK, he must be invited by the government of the country. You can wait more than a year for a visa. And not the fact that it will be approved.
You can't come to North Korea just to see how people live. Each visit is timed to coincide with a public holiday. You can fly either from Vladivostok by Aeroflot, or via Beijing - planes of Chinese and North Korean companies fly from there.
North Korean Airlines uses Russian aircraft Tu-214. Buying European or American liners is prohibited by international sanctions. Fly to Pyongyang for an hour and a half. The first North Korean meal on board will be a hamburger and a glass of water.
The plane comes in for landing in cloudless weather - the outskirts of Pyongyang are visible. They are asked not to take it off.
Wooden houses, an uneven network of dirt roads, plots of land broken up for planting rice and corn - this will not be shown to guests on earth.
From above, the capital of the DPRK is a pompous picture of Soviet development. The Pyongyang airport is small, squat and gray-concrete, like the building of the regional executive committee. Inside is a small deserted hall and several customs booths.
Journalists are met by guides-translators. They will inseparably follow the guests. And not only translate, but also listen to what journalists say. A column of buses is taking guests to Pyongyang.
Now in the DPRK for journalists unprecedented freedom - by their standards. Everything is allowed to be filmed from the bus window. A few years ago, they were allowed to take pictures only in the right directions.
Women squat along the track and cover up potholes. They place heated tar into potholes and cracks with shovels. The girls are dressed in identical orange jumpsuits, but each has a distinctive colored hat - black, green or pink.
This work is considered easy and therefore feminine. Koreans work ten hours, six days a week. A man looks after each women's detachment and indicates what and how to do.
There is a huge poster at the entrance to the capital. The first ruler of the country Kim Il Sung, his son and the second ruler Kim Jong Il look into a bright tomorrow in a field of flowers.
There are no other colored signs and streamers in the DPRK. Posters call for victories and accomplishments. A man in a bright red tie is shouting from the banner: "Let's march together to win on all fronts in building a scientific socialist state!"
Photo L!FE / Artur Matveev
Pyongyang is a city of faded gray-red-green shades. Houses, bus stops, even people are cleaned and tidy. There is not a speck on the street, not a drunk who accidentally fell - everything looks perfect in North Korean. But everyone seems to be afraid to stand out too much bright colors on the background.
However, the exemplary Mirae Street - translated as "Street of the Future" - looks colorful and resembles a block of modern Russian new buildings in a sleeping area. Koreans are proud of the new high-rise buildings. The elite quarter was built three years ago. The best scientists and engineers get apartments here. How they live there is unknown. They won't show us.
Pyongyang is a showcase city. Of course, there is not that absurd feeling that if you touch the house, it will fall down, dragging other facades-decorations along with it. But this cannot be verified: most journalists are allowed to look at the life of North Koreans at a respectful distance - from behind the glass of a passing bus.
In Pyongyang, everyone loves the very best. To be envious of others.
If the Juche Idea Monument, they build a concrete torch 150 meters high, and even 20 meters glass flames from above. If a sports stadium named after the First of May, then let it be the largest in the world, for 220,000 people. If you put the Arc de Triomphe - then like in Paris, but 20 meters higher and six meters wider. Monumentality for the inhabitants of the DPRK is an indicator of prestige and quality.
The morning streets of four million Pyongyang are crowded. Koreans wake up early - at five or six in the morning. Women clean the house and prepare breakfast, collect children. The men are exercising. Most residents work in state-owned enterprises. And getting to them an hour or two is the norm. Working nearby is considered an unprecedented success.
Trams and trolleybuses run along the roads. Electric public transport in Pyongyang is very common. There are fewer buses. In crowded salons there is no place for officialdom: people are just as dissatisfied as in Russia, they huddle together, look out of the window with curiosity or sleep wearily, leaning their heads against the glass.
Photo by L!FE/Artur Matveev
Cyclists are everywhere. Many bicycles have registration numbers, just like cars do. Some bikes look rare - you can see that they are rusty and they are many years old.
Despite the prevailing opinion, there are a lot of cars on the roads of the Korean capital. There are no traffic jams, but Pyongyang's highways cannot be called deserted. And it's not just taxis.
Mostly Chinese, less often Japanese cars. There are also expensive Lexuses. They are driven by the military or officials. Once I managed to see a South Korean foreign car. That is, a machine that is ideologically hostile. To this oddity, the Koreans evasively answer that Korea is a single country and they do not consider that the southern inhabitants are their irreconcilable enemies.
Even if it is a varnished position for guests, it is something new. Back in the spring of this year, there was no talk of reconciliation. But the main rarity on Korean streets is motorcyclists. Although it is the most popular form of transport in Asia. The DPRK does not produce its own mopeds, and ordinary people do not have money to buy foreign ones.
For Koreans, both a motorcycle and a car are not means of transportation, but a luxury that hardly every thousandth inhabitant of a country of 25 million can afford. And in most cases, these are residents of Pyongyang.
The capital of the DPRK is a state within a state. An ideal space for demonstrating success and achievement. Outside the window floats a banner "By the power of science and technology, we will open a wide path to the construction of an economic power."
Surprisingly, there are no military or anti-American posters on the street. Even though they used to be there. This can be seen from photographs and archival news releases. Apparently, the recent detente has borne fruit. A poster with a rocket in the background is found only once. And the rhetoric of hanging banners calls to work and invent, and not to fight and fight the enemy.
Pyongyang is an elite city, it is not easy to get there even for residents of the DPRK. To come from the province, a Korean must issue a special pass and approve it with the state security agencies. And only the best of the best can get a residence permit in Pyongyang. And even they live under constant supervision.
This is easy to determine by postal address. For example, if in Russia they indicate the city, street and apartment, then in the DPRK they indicate the community instead of the apartment. This is the real cell of society. 20-30 apartments, which are looked after by the headman. They hold general meetings, report on progress. And the headman can enter the apartments of tenants. And if suddenly he does not like the behavior of someone, then he reports it.
Since 1957, there has been a songbun in the DPRK. With a stretch, it can be called a socialist-style caste system. In private conversations, Koreans deny the existence of such a division. But it is well known from many sources. Songbun divides citizens into three categories: those who have earned the trust of the authorities, those who are loyal to the authorities, and those who are hostile to the authorities.
In 1945, Korea became independent and Pyongyang fell into the zone of influence of the Soviet Union, becoming the temporary capital of the DPRK state formed in the north of the Korean Peninsula (Seoul, “temporarily” separated from the country, was then considered the permanent capital). During the Korean War, it was significantly damaged by aerial bombardment; from October to December 1950 was occupied by UN troops. After the war, it was quickly restored.
historical names
During its history, Pyongyang has changed many names. One of them was Ryugyong ( 류경, 柳京 ), or "willow capital", as at that time many willows grew throughout the city, which was reflected in medieval Korean literature. Currently, the city is also growing many willow trees, and the word "Ryugyong" is often found on the map of the city (see the hotel Ryugyong). Other names of the city at different times were Kiseong, Hwangseong, Nannan, Seogyeong, Sodo, Hogyeong, Changan. During Japanese colonial rule, the city was known as Heijō (the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese characters 平壌 in Pyongyang's hanja name).
Administrative division
Changwan Street (Pyongyang).
Pyongyang is divided into 19 districts ( 구역 cuyok) and 1 county ( 군 kun). Their Russified names are given below, along with their names in Hangul and Hanchcha:
There is also a "Pyongyang Chewing Gum Factory" (Kor. 평양껌공장), which was founded in October 2003; the production area was 4400 m². The factory was located on a land plot of 11,900 m² in the Rallan area. Its annual production capacity was 1200 tons. In 2008, the plant moved to a new location in the central region of Pyongyang.
Retail
Pyongyang is home to several major department stores, including Potongan Department Store, Pyongyang No. 1 Department Store, Pyongyang No. 2 Department Store, Gwangbok Department Store, Ragwon Department Store, and Pyongyang Children's Department Store.
The city also operates a network of state-run Hwanggeumbol stores, where goods are sold at prices cheaper than in agricultural markets. Jangmadang.
Transport
There is a state airline Air Koryo operating flights from Sunan Airport to Beijing (PEK), Shenyang (SHE), Bangkok (BKK) and Vladivostok (VVO). There are also intermittent charter flights to Macau (MFM), Incheon (ICN), Yangyang (YNY) and some Japanese cities. " Air Koryo It also serves several domestic flights.
International rail links operate between Pyongyang and the capitals of China and Russia, as well as Khabarovsk. The journey to Beijing takes 25 hours and 25 minutes (2-3 direct cars on the Beijing - Dandong section with the K27 / K28 train, on the Dandong - Pyongyang section with the North Korean train on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays); the road to Moscow takes 7 days, and since 2011, only citizens of the DPRK traveling to work in Russia have been allowed to travel by train to Russia.
Tourism
Due to the almost complete isolation of the country from the rest of the world, tourism in Pyongyang is not very developed. Most of the tourists come from China. To obtain a visa to the DPRK, you must submit an application at the official diplomatic or tourist mission of the DPRK no earlier than 20 days before departure. In special cases, a visa can be obtained at a crossing point on the border with the DPRK. A tourist visa, in general, can be obtained by anyone, with the exception of journalists, residents of the United States and South Korea.
North Korea has banned the import of literature about the North and South Korea(except published in the DPRK), pornography, propaganda literature. It is forbidden to take pictures of military installations, as well as to visit most of the sights in informal clothes.
Until recently, the import of mobile phones for foreigners was prohibited, but in early 2013 this ban was lifted.
culture
Pyongyang is the cultural capital of North Korea. All the leading cultural institutions of the country are located here, and cultural exchange with other countries is carried out from here. In particular, in November 2005 in Pyongyang, representatives of the North Korean government and the Russian embassy signed the Plan for Cultural and Scientific Exchange for 2005-2007. between the governments of the DPRK and the Russian Federation. Active propaganda of national culture and art is carried out among the population. The Research Institute of Korean National Music and Choreography (NIIKNMKH) was even established, which is located in the Pyongyang International House of Culture.
There are several cultural institutions in the city. Among them are:
Attractions
Founding Monument of the Workers' Party of Korea
Monument to Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on Mansouda Hill
On April 15, 1961, on the occasion of Kim Il Sung's 49th birthday, the Chollima Monument (lit. « The Horse of a Thousand Li), according to the sculptors, symbolizes the will of the people for epoch-making achievements in the field of building socialism, the movement “at the pace of Chollima” to the prosperity of their Motherland. The height of the monument is 46 meters, the height of the sculpture itself is 14 meters. The horse was saddled by a worker holding the "Red Letter" from Central Committee Workers' Party of Korea, and a peasant woman. The front hooves of the horse are directed to the sky, and with the back hooves, as it were, it repels from the clouds.
On the occasion of Kim Il Sung's 70th birthday, the Arc de Triomphe was opened in April 1982. The height of the gate is 60 meters, the width is 52.5 meters. The arch is 27 meters high and 18.6 meters wide. The words “Songs about Commander Kim Il Sung” and the dates “1925” and “1945” are carved on the gate, indicating the year “Kim Il Sung entered the path of rebirth of the Motherland” and the year of his “triumphant return to the Motherland” after her liberation from the Japanese (15 August 1945).
Also, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Kim Il Sung, the Juche Idea Monument (170 meters high) was opened on the banks of the Taedong River. On the front and back of the monument are golden letters folded into the word "Juche". At the top of the pillar is a torch 20 meters high, which symbolizes the "great and unfading triumph of the Juche idea." At night, fire is simulated with the help of illumination. A 30-meter sculptural group stands in front of the pillar: a worker with a hammer, a peasant woman with a sickle, and an intellectual with a brush. The crossed hammer, sickle and brush are the emblem of the Workers' Party of Korea. On the back side of the pedestal, in a niche, there is a wall assembled from more than two hundred marble and granite slabs sent by the heads of many countries of the world and famous political figures.
One of the most famous places in Pyongyang is Kim Il Sung Square. It hosts Korean People's Army parades, demonstrations, mass gymnastics and dance performances on public holidays.
In the very center of Pyongyang, on Mansu Hill (where the Pyongyang Fortress used to be) there is a monumental sculptural ensemble, the so-called "Big Monument", known primarily for the 70-meter sculpture of Kim Il Sung. Opened in April 1972 on the occasion of the leader's sixtieth birthday. It is curious that the standing Kim Il Sung points with his hand "to a bright tomorrow", to the south, towards Seoul. Behind the bronze statue is the Museum of the Korean Revolution, opened in the same year, on the wall of which is a huge mosaic panel of Paekdu Mountain. Its length is 70 meters, its height is about 13. The panel symbolizes revolutionary traditions, since, according to legend, the Command Headquarters was located on Mount Paektu, located on the border with China, where Kim Il Sung lived and worked during the years of the anti-Japanese struggle.
In 2012, the "Big Monument" underwent a major overhaul. The statue of Kim Il Sung was “dressed” from a jacket and overcoat into a suit with a tie and coat, the expression on his face was changed from calm to smiling, glasses appeared. The renovated monument represents the aged Kim Il Sung. By left hand from the statue of Kim Il Sung, a new monument a little smaller appeared - a monument to his late son Kim Jong Il, who also laughed cheerfully. The grand opening took place on April 13, 2012, on the eve of the birthday of Kim Il Sung - one of the most important holidays in the DPRK.
On February 8, 2018, a parade and rally dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army was held at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, the day before the official opening ceremony Olympic Games in South Korea.
Pyongyang is also home to several Towers of Immortality, obelisks erected in memory of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il throughout North Korea and beyond. The monuments are located on Gumseong, Seungri, Saesallim and Gwangbok streets.
Education
A number of the country's leading universities are located in Pyongyang:
Sport
Sports facilities in Pyongyang include two stadiums that are among the largest in the world - Kim Il Sung Stadium - 70,000 spectators, the 48th largest in the world and May Day Stadium - the largest in the world, with a capacity of 150,000 spectators.
media
TV channels:
"Central television of the DPRK"
"Renmansan"
"Mansudae"
Radio stations:
FM - 93.8; 99.75; 105.2 MHz;
SV - 657; 819; 865; 1368 kHz;
KV - 2.85; 3.97; 6.25 MHz.
"Pyongyang News"
"Pyongyang Time"
twin cities
Gallery
Pukhyn metro station (Vozrozhdeniye)
Notes
- Construction in Pyongyang Generates Provincial Discontent, Kim Yong-hoon (11/14/2011).