A House of International Gathering

A House of International Gathering

                                                           

At the foot of Mt Myohyang, a celebrated mountain in Korea, is a magnificent and beautiful Korean-style architectural structure that goes well with the surrounding natural scenery.

This is the International Friendship Exhibition House, which the Korean people regard as a national pride.

Gifts that heads of party and state and prominent figures of all classes of society of 188 countries around the world presented to the leaders of modern Korea are on display by continents, nations, classes and decades.

They include various kinds of works of art like gold, silver, ivory, stone, wood, metal and fine art works, rare medicines, historical relics, expensive clothes, pieces of furniture, various kinds of valuables and stuffed animal specimens.

Among them are a portrait of President Kim Il Sung portrayed with Arabic letters in his translated works and a couple of extra-large tusks, each being 2.5m long and 55kg heavy.

All the gifts reflect the respect for and admiration of the international society for the great leaders of Korea and their support to the cause of the Korean people.

When one sees all of them, numbering over 116 000 pieces, one feels as if going round the world.

Visitors to the exhibition house, struck with admiration by the sincerity associated with the gifts, their rarity and their colossal amount, say that  it is a “treasure house in praise of   great persons reflecting the sincerity of all people” and a “house of international gathering.”

The exhibition house reflects, both in name and reality, the high prestige and great personality of the leaders of Korea; on display are gifts even from those countries hostile towards the DPRK, including the United States and Japan.

Former US President Jimmy Carter, who presented a rare copper ornamental plate to President Kim Il Sung, said: I dare say that President Kim Il Sung is the sun god of human destiny greater than state founders of the world and the sun god put together.

Kanemaru Shin, former Deputy Prime Minister and member of the House of Representatives of Japan, presented President Kim Il Sung a doll wearing the Japanese traditional costume, and said: Please believe me that I sincerely respect President    Kim Il Sung as a great politician and will always support Korea. In fact, he completely attracted me.

What is more surprising is that figures from all social strata in many countries around the world are presenting gifts to President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il even after their death.