Bent propeller of a vintage aircraft
It’s not as pretty as the Guggenheim Bilbao, or as much to my taste as MoMa in New York City, but without doubt, The Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum in Pyongyang, North Korea is the most unforgettable museum I have had the privilege to visit.
Murals of Kim Il Sung hang in the museum’s entryway and throughout the museum
From the communist mural of Kim il Sung in the entrance way, to the dimly lit halls where the lights were only turned on when tour groups were walking through them, it was a museum visit unlike any other I’ve ever had.
Hallway of museum
The museum gives tells about the DPRK’s account of the Korean War and their struggles with the Japanese and Americans.
The museum is dimly lit and much of the original weapons and planes are on display, often in states of decay and leaking oil or other fluids directly onto the floor.
Oil stains and fuel under Korean War aircraft on display
A guide leads you around, and signs written in Korean, tell North Korean version of their struggles with the Japanese and the war.
Aviation section full of military aircraft
The whole experience is simply fascinating on several different levels, especially if you’ve ever seen aircraft displayed at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
Fatherland liberation War Museum sign & Captured flag from the US Pueblo
The choice of wording for the rooms was fascinating
If you’re interested in visiting the DPRK, I suggest checking out the Beijing-based tour operator Koryo Group. They are the tour company that I went with and I’ve to go back and see more of this fascinating country.