Kim Il-sung Square
| Kim Il-sung Square | |
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| Korean name | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 김일성광장 |
| Hancha | 金日成廣場 |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kim Il-sŏng Kwangjang |
| Revised Romanization | Gim Il-seong Gwangjang |
Kim Il-sung Square is a large city square in the centre of Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and is named after the founding leader of the DPRK, Kim Il-sung. Opened in August 1954,[1] the square is located on the west bank of the Taedong River, directly opposite the Juche Tower on the other side of the river. It is the 30th largest square in the world, having an area of about 75,000 square meters (807,293 square feet) which can accommodate a rally of more than 100,000 people.[2][3] The square has a great cultural significance, as it is a common gathering place for rallies, dances and military parades and is often featured in media concerning North Korea.
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[edit] Description
The Kim Il-sung Square is located at the center of Pyongyang on the west bank of the Taedong river. It is similar in form and design to the Tiananmen Square in Beijing and is used for the same purposes. The Kim Il-sung Square is architecturally more refined with its dramatic riverside setting. If one stands in the square, the Tower of the Juche idea on the opposite bank appears to sit at the other end of the square, although it is actually across the river. The optical effect is achieved since the square is a few meters lower in the middle than near the waterside. Surrounding the square are a number of government buildings, with the Great People's Study House sitting at the "head" of the square.
It is the 30th largest square in the world, having an area of about 75,000 square meters (807,293 square feet) which can accommodate a rally of more than 100,000 people.[2][4] Portraits of Kim Il-sung, Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin are on buildings surrounding the square.[2] The Grand People's Study House looks out onto the square and the river.
[edit] Gallery
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Pyongyang, North Korea as seen from the Juche Tower, facing west across the Taedong river. The large square in the centre is Kim Il-Sung Square; the large building behind it is the Grand People's Study House.
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The Kim Il-Sung square in Pyongyang
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The Kim Il-sung square, with the Grand People's Study House, also known as the National Library of North Korea, in the centre, as viewed from the top of the Juche tower in Pyongyang
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The Kim Il-sung Square across the Taedong River from the Juche Tower, Pyongyang.
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The Kim Il-sung square, as viewed from the Study Hall to the Juche Tower.
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The Kim Il-sung square. The structure on the right is the Grand People's Study House. The complex functions as a library and study hall.
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The Kim Il-sung square. The structure on the right is the Grand People's Study House. The complex functions as a library and study hall.
[edit] References
- ^ Martin (2006), p. 774
- ^ a b c Pyongyang Images, New Korea Tours
- ^ Kwan, Lee Kyo. Mammoth Underground Square and Road in Pyongyang. Digital Chosunilbo. July 22, 2001
- ^ Kwan, Lee Kyo. Mammoth Underground Square and Road in Pyongyang. Digital Chosunilbo. July 22, 2001
[edit] Bibliography
- Martin, Bradley K. (2006) Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader: North Korea And the Kim Dynasty. St Martins Press. ISBN 978-0312323226
[edit] External links
- Asian Historical Architecture: Kim Il-sung Square images
- Kim Il-sung Square, Pyongyang, North Korea (video) — practising for the Mass games
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Coordinates: 39°01′10″N 125°45′09″E / 39.01953°N 125.75247°E
