Party Foundation Monument
Built in 1995 for the WPK’s 50th anniversary, the Monument to the Party Founding is an iconic Pyongyang landmark that honors Korea's revolutionary unity.
Guide Content
A Monument to Ideology, Unity, and Power
Standing proudly on the eastern bank of the Taedong River, the Party Foundation Monument, officially known as the Monument to Party Founding (당창건기념탑/黨創建紀念塔) , is one of Pyongyang's most notable landmarks you may have seen on television when the DPRK makes the news. Inaugurated on October 10, 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), the monument celebrates the unity of the country's core classes and the ideological foundations of the DPRK.
Design and Symbolism
Designed by the renowned Paektu Architectural Academy and brought to life by the Mansudae Art Studio, the Monument is crafted from granite and bronze, and features three giant fists, each gripping one of the tools that form the Party's emblem:
- A hammer representing workers;
- A sickle representing farmers;
- A calligraphy brush representing intellectuals.
These fists rise from a circular granite belt, measuring 50 meters in height, symbolizing the 50th anniversary of the Party's founding in 1945. The belt is inscribed with the slogan:
"Long live the Workers' Party of Korea, the organizer and guide of all the Korean people's victories!" (조선인민의 모든 승리의 조직자이며 향도자인 조선로동당 만세!)
The belt is made up of 216 granite blocks and has an inner diameter of 42 meters, a reference to February 16, 1942, the birthdate of General Kim Jong Il, reinforcing the connection between Party ideology and national leadership. The circular platform on which the Monument stands is 70 meters in diameter, symbolizing the 70 years since 1925, when President Kim Il Sung embarked on his journey to Northeastern China to join the armed resistance against Japanese imperialism.
Visiting the Monument
The Party Foundation Monument is on Munsu Street, located within walking distance of landmarks like the Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia Exhibition Hall and the nearby skate park. It stands directly in line with Mansu Hill, where the towering bronze statues of President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il are located, and is set precisely 2.16 kilometers away, once again evoking the date of the General's birth: February 16.
This central location also makes the site a popular venue for mass dances and public gatherings during major national holidays.
Behind the monument is the Pyongyang Cultural Exhibition Hall, a quiet but rewarding stop for those interested in the country's artistic and historical expressions. Inside, you'll find original works from the Mansudae Art Studio, rare archival photographs, and curated items available for purchase, including artwork, books, and souvenirs.
At night, the monument is beautifully lit, making it well worth a brief stop for evening photography if you find yourself in the area.
Photography & Conduct
Photography is encouraged and the monument is particularly photogenic from both close-up and wide-angle perspectives. Your local and Taedong guides can recommend some good shots and vantage points. As always, respectful behavior is expected at all major monuments in the DPRK.