 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 |