Kim Il-sung Worship
Personality Cult
North Korea's founder, Kim Il-sung, is worshipped as a deity-like figure, with his image adorning public spaces, buildings, and even household altars. His birthday, known as the "Day of the Sun," is a major national holiday celebrated with elaborate displays of loyalty.
2. Kim Jong-il's Legacy
Eternal President
Following his death in 2011, Kim Jong-il was declared the "Eternal President" of North Korea, despite no longer being alive. His embalmed body lies in state in the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where North Koreans pay homage to him as if he were still ruling.
3. Mass Games
Spectacular Displays
North Korea's Mass Games are massive choreographed performances involving tens of thousands of participants. These events feature synchronized dancing, gymnastics, and elaborate human mosaic displays, all glorifying the regime and its leaders.
4. Juche Ideology
Self-Reliance
Juche, the official state ideology of North Korea, emphasizes self-reliance, nationalism, and the glorification of the Kim dynasty. It permeates all aspects of North Korean society and serves as the foundation of the country's propaganda and governance.
5. Arirang Festival
Mass Gymnastics
The Arirang Festival is an annual event featuring one of the world's largest gymnastics performances. Tens of thousands of performers participate in synchronized routines, forming intricate patterns and images that promote North Korean ideology.
6. Monument to the Party Foundation
Gigantic Structure
The Monument to the Party Foundation in Pyongyang is a massive structure featuring hammer, sickle, and calligraphy brush symbols, representing the Workers' Party of Korea. It is one of many grandiose monuments in the capital city.
7. Ryugyong Hotel
Unfinished Skyscraper
The Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang is a colossal, 105-story skyscraper that has remained unfinished for decades. Despite being one of the tallest hotels in the world, it has never hosted a single guest and serves primarily as a symbol of North Korean ambition.