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, entitled "Every Effort for the Building of a New Democratic Korea". At that time, the place was called the Pyongyang Public Ground (평양공설운동장). There is a mural depicting the scene at the site. 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". The site is located in the Moranbong area, west of the hill of the same name.
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. About 300,000 people took part. Contemporary photographs show Kim surrounded by Red Army personnel and wearing Soviet medals. These facts are not reproduced in the mural.
The site was dedicated in 1987. It is just across the street from the Arch of Triumph, which is a related but more famous landmark, marking the spot where Kim Il Sung entered Pyongyang in August 1945 when the city was liberated.
See also
References
- ^ 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
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kim Il-sung's liberation speech mural.
- 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.