Kaeson Revolutionary Site
Kaeson Revolutionary Site (개선혁명사적지) is a Revolutionary Site in Pyongyang. It marks the spot near Kim Il Sung Stadium where Kim Il Sung delivered his victory speech after the liberation of Korea on 14 October 1945,[3] entitled "Every Effort for the Building of a New Democratic Korea".[4] At that time, the place was called the Pyongyang Public Ground (평양공설운동장).[3] There is a mural depicting the scene at the site.[3] A quotation from the speech is carved in stone reads: "To contribute positively to the work of building the state, let those with strength give strength, let those with knowledge give knowledge, let those with money give money".[5] The site is located in the Moranbong area,[6] west of the hill of the same name.[7]
| Kaeson Revolutionary Site | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) | |
| Location | Moranbong, Pyongyang |
| Coordinates | 39°2′44.32″N 125°45′20.28″E[1] |
.jpg.webp)
The speech was the first opportunity for many to see Kim Il Sung in person, after he already had a reputation for his guerrilla activities. The rally at which Kim spoke was sponsored by the Soviets.[3] About 300,000 people took part.[8] Contemporary photographs show Kim surrounded by Red Army personnel and wearing Soviet medals.[3] These facts are not reproduced in the mural.[8][3]
The site was dedicated in 1987.[3] It is just across the street from the Arch of Triumph,[9] which is a related but more famous landmark,[3] marking the spot where Kim Il Sung entered Pyongyang in August 1945 when the city was liberated.[10]
References
- North Korea Uncovered (KMZ) (Google Earth). Version 18. North Korean Economy Watch. 25 June 2009.
- North Korea Uncovered (KMZ) (Google Earth). Version 18. North Korean Economy Watch. 25 June 2009.
- Corfield 2014b, p. 72.
- Dae-Sook Suh (1981). Korean Communism, 1945–1980: A Reference Guide to the Political System. Honolulu: University Press of Hawaii. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-8248-0740-5.
- Burdick 2010, p. 250.
- Corfield 2014c, p. 146.
- Hoare, James; Pares, Susan (2005). North Korea in the Twenty-first Century. Folkestone: Global Oriental. p. 178. ISBN 978-1-901903-96-6.
- Cha, Victor (2012). The Impossible State: North Korea, Past and Future. London: Random House. p. 7. ISBN 978-1-4481-3958-3.
- Burdick 2010, p. 249.
- Corfield 2014a, p. 8.
Works cited
- Burdick, Eddie (2010). Three Days in the Hermit Kingdom: An American Visits North Korea. Jefferson: McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-5653-6.
- Corfield, Justin (2014a). "Arch of Triumph". Historical Dictionary of Pyongyang. London: Anthem Press. pp. 8–11. ISBN 978-1-78308-341-1.
- — (2014b). "Kaeson Revolutionary Site". Historical Dictionary of Pyongyang. London: Anthem Press. pp. 72–73. ISBN 978-1-78308-341-1.
- — (2014c). "Moranbong". Historical Dictionary of Pyongyang. London: Anthem Press. p. 146. ISBN 978-1-78308-341-1.