Politics

The Arch of Triumph stands majestically in downtown Pyongyang.

Unveiled in 1982 to mark the 70th birthday of President Kim Il Sung, it hands down the immortal exploits of the President who accomplished the historic cause of national liberation.

It is a four-storeyed monumental stone building, and a balcony forms the boundary between the ground and first floors with the first, second and third floors being divided by flat roofs with successive diminution.

At the centre of each of its four sides on the ground floor there is an arch. The archway is framed with 70 azalea blossom reliefs symbolizing the 70th birthday of the President, further enhancing the formative influence, symbolism and artistic quality of architectural representation.

Engraved on the visual centre of the structure are the words of the immortal revolutionary hymn Song of General Kim Il Sung, the main theme of the Arch of Triumph, with the bronze relief “Bugler of Victory” carved on either side of it and the columns are embossed with the years “1925” and “1945”, which are suggestive of the President’s 20-year history of bloody struggle and his exploits.

The sub-theme group sculptures on the north and south sides of the Arch of Triumph show the Korean people’s joy and jubilation of greeting General Kim Il Sung in the liberated country and their ardent desire for creating a new life.

Built in a magnificent architectural style and consisting of clear-cut sculptures, the Arch of Triumph is a leading grand monumental edifice in the DPRK.