Nestled on the banks of Pyongyang’s second river, the Potonggang, the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Monument (조국해방전쟁승리기념탑) was completed on the 40th anniversary of the armistice which ended the Korean War between North and South between 1950 and 1953.
The monument itself consists of 10 statues depicting battle and civilian scenes from the Korean conflict, each dedicated to a particular battle, event or service. At the head of the monument complex is a large bronze statue titled ‘Victory Statue’ depicting a Korean People’s Army soldier wielding the national flag.
The entrance to the monument is marked by a large, decorated marble arch and two statues of North Korean soldiers standing either side of the complex entrance beneath red granite flags.
The Korean War lasted for three years and resulted in no significant change to the geopolitical situation in Korea, with the notable exception of Kaesong City changing hands and now falling on the northern side of the border.
The Korean People’s Army took over almost the entire peninsula in 1950 before being pushed back near the northern border with China. Eventually the situation became a stalemate around the 38th parallel, where the border had originally been set, and on July 27, 1953 an armistice was signed and the shooting stopped (although the war has never officially ended).
40 years later on the 26th of July 1993, the monument was opened and dedicated to the “heroic heroes” of the Korean People’s Army who fought in the conflict.
Location
Located in the Potonggang District in Pyongyang, the monument was built in 1993 on the opposite side of the Potong River from the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, also dedicated to the Korean War.
After its original construction, the monument was surrounded by coniferous trees which somewhat insulated the complex creating a cosy atmosphere around the area. Today however, the monument could easily be mistaken as part of the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum which was expanded 2013, spanning the river.
Pre-2013 
Post-2013
The new entrance hall of the museum is now situated behind the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Monument. The thick treeline which once obscured the view to the river has been replaced by two exhibitions of military vehicles from the Korean War. On one side, Korean People’s Army vehicles which survived the three-year war; on the other, captured and destroyed US and South Korean military vehicles.
Statues
Aside from Victory Statue, there are ten statues making up the overall complex. They are as follows;
- 1211고지방위자들 – Defenders of Hill 1211
The conflict at Hill 1211, part of the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge, saw the Korean People’s Army successfully defend Hill 1211 against an offensive by the US military.
- 후방인민들의 전선원호 – Frontline Support by People at the Rear
This statue is dedicated to the military and civilian operation to support the frontline military during the conflict.
- 해방된 남녁땅에서 – In the Liberated Southern Land
As with many wars, what one side calls an invasion, the other calls a liberation. Whilst this statue doesn’t commemorate a specific liberation, it is dedicated to the liberation of much of the “occupied” southern peninsula.
- 조국의 하늘을 지켜 – Protecting the Skies of the Fatherland
This statue commemorates the Korean People’s Army Air Force, today the Korean People’s Army Air & Anti-Air Force, defending the skies of Korea against the US and South Korean Air Force. The statue depicts a MiG-15, the most iconic communist aircraft of the time.
- 대전해방전투 – Battle for the Liberation of Taejon
In July 1950, the Korean People’s Army overran the defences at the city of Taejon, romanised in the South as ‘Daejon’, resulting in a full takeover of the city by the northern forces.
- 월미도의 영웅들 – Heroes of Wolmi-do
Wolmi-do, or Wolmi Island, is a small island off the coast of Incheon. A garrison of KPA troops defended the island against a naval barrage by the US Navy prior to the Incheon landings. Although the troops eventually succumbed to the artillery barrage, the defence of the island and sacrifice of the soldiers is celebrated in the DPRK and was immortalised in film in 1982.
- 직사포를 고지에로 – Firing Directly to the High Ground
This statue commemorates the artillerymen during the war. As with all modern militaries, long-distance artillery barrages served an important role during the Korean War.
- 전후인민유격대원들의 투쟁 – Fight of the People’s Guerrillas
Dedicated to the guerilla fighters of the Korean War, this statue commemorates the less conventional soldiers who partook in asymmetric guerilla warfare against the technologically stronger US military.
- 조국의 바다를 지켜 – Protecting the Seas of the Fatherland
As with the previously mentioned statue dedicated to the Korean People’s Army Air Force, this monument commemorates the Korean People’s Army Navy and their actions during the war.
- 락동강도하 전투 – Battle of the Raktong River
During the KPA assault against the Pusan Perimeter, the KPA came up against enemy forces at the Raktong River whilst trying to establish a bridgehead. Whilst they failed to achieve their objective, the bloody battle is commemorated along with many great military victories.
Visiting
The Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Pyongyang. Luckily, since the expansion in 2013, there’s no way to avoid the monument during your museum tour.
In addition to the monument and the museum, the USS Pueblo, an armed United States spy ship which was captured off the DPRK’s coast in 1968, is housed just off to the side of the monument, docked on the Potong River.
Most foreign visitors will be taken on a guided tour of the captured enemy vehicles along the side of the monument and, by special request, can also visit the repository of North Korean military vehicles.
You certainly won’t regret visiting this beautiful monument, not just for the historical value, or just for the incredible architecture, but also for the beauty of the carefully tended gardens and fountains which were added during the renovation.
Join any of our DPRK (North Korea) tours with the Liberation War Museum on the itinerary to visit the monument, or contact one of our tour managers if you’re planning to visit on a private tour.