In a country that keeps so much under wraps, the architecture ends up speaking volumes.
Entering the capital city of Pyongyang, visitors pass through the Arch of Reunification. The two women holding a conjoined North and South Korea symbolize supreme leader Kim Il Sung’s vision for the two countries.
Nick Bonner
Immediately, visitors are struck by the Workers’ Party Monument. The outer belt reads, “Long live the Workers’ Party of Korea, the organizer and guide of all victories of the Korean people!”
Nick Bonner
Downtown Pyongyang’s skyline is punctuated by the 105-story Ryugyong Hotel, currently the tallest abandoned building in the world. It hasn’t had any work done on it since 1992.
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On the other side of the city, the 558-feet-tall Juche Tower looms above the Taedong River.
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Some of North Korea’s most impressive (and intimidating) architecture lives in the city center, such as the sprawling Manyongdae Children’s Palace. It features two “arms” meant to imitate a mother’s embrace.
Nick Bonner
North Korea doesn’t have enough of its own electricity, so at night the entire country goes pitch black. What little remains goes toward illuminating a picture of the country’s founder, Kim Il-Sung.
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These buildings wouldn’t be possible without the thousands of laborers who are forced to work long hours to build them.
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The conditions are often poor, if not downright treacherous.
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Much of the country’s architecture is meant to honor North Korea’s leaders, Kim Il-Sung, who led between 1972 and 1994, and Kim Jong Il, who followed Sung until his own death in 2011.
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The two men are proudly memorialized all around Pyongyang, most obviously at the People’s Grand Assembly Hall.
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One building in central Pyongyang reads, “The great comrades Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il will be with us forever.”
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Disregarding the blatant propaganda, there are many aspects of North Korean architecture that are genuinely impressive. The metro station is among the most ornate in the world.
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Perhaps unsurprisingly, North Korea is also home to the largest sports arena in the world, May Day Stadium.
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Filled to capacity, it’s capable of holding 150,000 people. Most often, it’s used for the annual Mass Games, which pay tribute to the country’s history.
Amid the bleakness of everyday life, people also manage to find time to have fun at the Munsu Water Park.
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Then there are the dancing festivals that take place beside the Arch of Triumph. This one was held by the womens’ union to celebrate the 83rd anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army.
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Science also plays a big role in North Korea. The Sci-Tech Complex, for example, was built in the shape of an atom and opened earlier this year.
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The country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, has said he hopes the center will help “advance the establishment of a rich and powerful fatherland through the locomotive of science and technology.”
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The structure joins the Mirae Scientists Street, which North Korea wants to use as its hub for becoming a global force in innovation.
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Some apartment buildings sport solar panels.
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Many of the buildings stand out for their bold color palettes and industrial feel.
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In a country that routinely goes dark, brief celebrations may be one of the only sources of nighttime brightness.
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Which, in a country so focused on maintaining control, may mean things are going according to plan.
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