In North Korea, the 27th of July is celebrated as Victory Day, officially ‘Day of Victory in the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War’ (조국해방전쟁 승리 기념일).
It is one of the country’s most significant holidays, marking the anniversary of the armistice agreement which ended the Korean War in 1953, as is celebrated across the country with mass dances, gatherings in public parks, and occasionally civilian and military parades.
History
The Korean War spanned 3 years from 1950 to 1953. During that time, the Korean People’s Army managed to push the southern forces down to the southeastern corner of the peninsula. Soon after, the UN command forces pushed the northern forces up to the Chinese border, after which the Chinese joined the conflict, pushing the frontline back near the 38th parallel.
Armistice talks began in the city of Kaesong in 1951, however it took another 2 years before an agreement to lay down arms was finalised.
The agreement was finally signed on the 27th of July, 1953 in Panmunjom, today the site of the Joint Security Area, the only area along the inter-Korean border where both the northern and southern forces stand toe to toe today.
The war was never formally ended, although the armistice agreement has now been in place for over 70 years and the agreement which ended the conflict is now celebrated in the DPRK as a historic victory over the imperialist forces of the United States and South Korea.
In 1973, the 20th anniversary of the armistice, the date was celebrated for the first time and, in 1996, the 43rd anniversary of the agreement, it officially became a public holiday in the DPRK and has been celebrated annually since.
Victory Day Today
North Korea has a series of important public holidays marking many landmark events, from notable birthdays such as Day of the Sun and Day of the Shining Star marking the birthdays of the President Kim Il Sung and the General Kim Jong Il respectively, to military anniversaries such as the Liberation of Korea in 1945 and Victory Day in 1953.
Today, the holiday is marked across the country – occasionally, on major anniversaries, military parades are held in Kim Il Sung Square in the heart of the capital, Pyongyang.
However, more typical celebrations include mass dances, where local university students turn out to perform huge choreographed dances in public squares and parks.
Additionally, since Victory Day is an official public holiday, locals have the day off work and often spend it with their family and friends in parks across the country; enjoying picnics and drinking some of the DPRK’s signature beer such as Taedonggang or Ponghak whilst enjoying games of volleyball, dancing with their friends, and singing patriotic songs.
Visiting for Victory Day
National holidays are always a fantastic time to visit North Korea – along with the typical highlights of a visit to the country, spending time in Pyongyang over a public holiday brings with it a wealth of new opportunities and experiences.
You’ll have the chance to join locals in the mass dance (provided you can learn some simple choreography on the spot!) and interact personally with locals spending their holiday in the city’s many green spaces.
Walking around the cities of the DPRK during Victory Day, you won’t be under any illusion that the country is celebrating. The streets are decorated with the national flag whilst, depending on the significance of the anniversary, the capital may be gearing up for a major parade at the central square, or a fireworks display near the notable Juche Tower,
Any itinerary over this major holiday will no doubt include visits to some relevant sites, such as the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, the Liberation War Martyrs’ Cemetery, and the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom.