Anyone who has visited the Moscow Metro will understand where the inspiration for the Pyongyang Metro artwork/decoration came from. Indeed, the whole Metro is modeled on the Moscow one. What I saw in the Pyongyang Metro was socialist realist art at its best – in the form of mosaic murals, metallic reliefs and statues.
While it is a great experience to actually take a ride on the Pyongyang Metro the real treat (and why they let you see the Metro at all) is to be able to admire the station platforms and the artwork thereon. Of the six stations we had access to, the artwork in three – Puhung (Revitalization), Yonggwang (Glory) and Kaesŏn (Triumph) was absolutely stunning, irrespective of its obvious political intent. The other three we passed through, while having some artwork, were not as stunning though I do recall catching a glimpse of a nice statue in one of them, presumably of Kim Il-sung.
My first two pictures, attached, were taken on the platform in Puhong Station where our short Metro journey began. Picture 1, a mosaic mural of a smiling, sun drenched Kim Il-sung and his happy followers fills the back wall of the platform while the second picture looks back towards the platform entrance and shows some of the beautiful chandeliers to be found in the Metro. You will also note, in this picture, that the tunnel walls, typically covered with advertising elsewhere, are here lined with marble and colourful patriotic and revolutionary mosaic murals.
You will note stands on the centre of the platform in picture 2 – these display current editions of local newspapers and are found in all Metro stations and many other public places around the city. The masses need free and easy access to the ‘news’.
Yes, all those people in this picture are tourists – the locals don’t dilly dally on the platform taking photographs and, unlike us, were permitted to exit the station without a guide – my, what freedom they have!
My next picture, taken at Kaeson Station, is of a revolutionary inspired mosaic mural, typical of those lining the tunnel walls in all the stations we stopped in.
Our next stop, and the second station on the Chollima line (one of two lines), was the particularly beautiful Yonggwang Station. The platform here platform is lined, on both sides, with gorgeous marble columns and has murals all along both sides on the tunnel walls. The other highlights here are the chandeliers and the recently installed massive mosaic mural of Kim Jong-il just visible in the next picture at the end of the platform.
From here we moved on to Kaeson Station, passing through Ponghwa (Torch/Beacon), Sŭngri (Victory) and T’ŏngil (Reunification) stations as we did.
My final picture is of a large statue of the Greater Leader, Kim Il-Sung, holding his hand out to his beloved people in Kaeson Station.
Certainly not your average Metro/Subway stations!
This blog entry is one of a group (loop) of entries on The Rambling Wombat’s trip to Pyongyang, North Korea which I recommend you read in a particular order. I suggest you continue with my next entry – The Arch of Triumph. If necessary, go to my Pyongyang introduction entry – Pyongyang – A Capital City Unlike any Other – to start this loop at the beginning.
The Rambling Wombat 
I love the chandeliers at Yonggyang!
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