In just what regard do the North Korean people hold their leaders? (If that's even a question). The Mansudae Monument, often visited at the very beginning of North Korea tours, provides the perfect introduction to this country. Two enormous full cast bronze statues of Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il, located on a large hill giving the perfect scenic view of all Pyongyang.
These statues are of enormous symbolic significance to the North Korean people. Many often come here to lay flowers beneath and bow to these statues. When couples marry, they come to bow in order to complete their ceremony. Behind the statues lies a potrait of Mount Paektu, a mountain depicted in Korean folklore as the legendary place of origin of the Korean race.
By visiting this monument, there is no better demonstration as to how the Kim family has penentrated every single aspect of life within this country and no better visualization of how they have rendered themselves as living Gods (idols) to the people here. Visit these statues and then remember the words in your head "welcome to North Korea"
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