Mansudae Grand Monument

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