|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North Korea -> PYONGYANG -> Juche Tower Juche Tower PYONGYANG, 
The Juche Tower, or Tower of the Juche Idea was opened in April 15, 1982 on the occasion of the 70th birthday of President Kim Il Sung to honor him as the author of the Juche idea “…so that his revolutionary exploits would be remembered for all ages.” Measuring 556 ft. / 170 m. in total height, the tower itself is 492 ft. / 150 m. high and the torch is an additional 66 ft. / 20 m. high. The Juche idea means “…that the masters of the revolution and construction are the masses of the people and that they are also the motive force of the revolution and construction. In other words, one is responsible for one’s own destiny and one also has the capacity to shape one’s own destiny. The Juche idea is the guiding idea of the Korean revolution evolved by President Kim Il Sung. The Workers’ Party of Korea and the Government of the Republic head the revolution and construction, guided by the Juche idea.” In a niche at the back of the pedestal is a wall adorned with 230 granite and gem stone blocks sent by political and public figures, Juche study groups, and friendship organizations in over 80 countries around the world. Additional large sculptures around the tower depict “Juche Industry”, “Bumper Harvest”, “The Land of Learning”, “Juche Art”, “Longevity”, and “Impregnable Fortress.” A sculpture in front of the tower is a trio holding aloft the emblem of the Workers’ Party of Korea. An elevator (for an charge of about €5 (about US$7.50) per person takes visitors to an observation platform on the top of the tower. The view of the city is well worth the extra cost. |
|
|
||||||||||