The Mangyongdae Native House is claimed to be the childhood residence of the first North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung. It is a small traditional chalet home located located in as the name suggests, the Mangyondae district on the outskirts of Pyongyang. A park was built around it which also holds the same name. The house has the distinct political agenda of affirming Kim Il-Sung’s apparent peasant roots and thus working class credentials in order to rectify the ideology of the North Korean state. Tourists may be took to visit this house as part of a standard itinerary in the DPRK. The House appears to be a depicted reconstruction, than an actual historical building.
What to expect
The Mangyongdae Native House is uncomplicated. The group will arrive at the accompanying park and will walk through it until they reach the house. Outside of the house they will see a stone placard which commemorates Kim Il-Sung, there are flowers placed beneath it. On going to look at the house, they will receive a lecture from guides on the early family life of Kim Il-Sung which will inspect traditional tools, such as those used on the farm and to grind grain; as well as a nearby well. On the walls of the house, one will see portraits of Kim’s family members. During the visit, other groups of North Koreans will be seeing visiting the property to pay respects to their leader.
It is worth noting that the house’s depiction appears to contradict historical consensus on the background of Kim Il-Sung. Rather than being a family of peasants, Kim’s family were middle class and his father was a protestant minister. Kim himself had the rare opportunity of receiving a schooled education as a result.
