Monument to the decision made at the fork in the road

Introduction
Context
Symbolism

Introduction

The Monument to the decision made at the fork in the road is a monument dedicated to a story told in one of President Kim Il Sung’s memoirs.

According to the story, Kim Il Sung was returning home to Mangyongdae in 1945 to see his family when he reached a fork in the road.

One way led to his hometown.

The other, to the Kangson region – an important centre for heavy industry.

He went to Kangson to deliver on-the-spot guidance to the factory-workers and see what could be done about rejuvenating the area in the aftermath of liberation from the Japanese.

He later returned to Mangyongdae.

Context

Kim Il Sung left his native home in Mangyongdae, now part of Pyongyang, in 1925.

This ‘Journey for National Liberation’ saw him travel north to fight the Japanese occupation in northern Korea and Manchuria.

He would not return to Pyongyang until 1945 after the country had been liberated from Japanese occupation.

The Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang is dedicated to this struggle and is appropriately emblazoned with the dates ‘1925’ and ‘1945’ – the years of the President’s departure and return to Mangyongdae.

Symbolism

The Monument to the Decision Made at the Fork in the Road, along with many revolutionary sites across the country, chronicles the story of the country’s founding.

Other revolutionary sites in the area include the Mangyongdae Revolutionary Site, Chilgol Revolutionary Site and the Kaesong Revolutionary Site amongst others.

Interested in a tour to North Korea? 
Travel to North Korea with the only
North Korea travel experts, Koryo Tours 

North Korea Travel Guide PDF | Sign up to the mailing list | About Koryo Tours