Among the national cultural heritage items created by the Korean ancestors are monuments inscribed with characters on well-trimmed stones for the purpose of recording certain events or facts to convey them to posterity. They include monuments to fortress.
A stone monument to fortress carries the records about the construction, repair and restoration of the fortress concerned and various structures in and around it.
From olden times, the Korean people who are strongly patriotic attached great importance to building fortresses across the country to repel foreign invasion. They inscribed the whole courses related with the fortresses on monuments to hand them down to the coming generations.
The records inscribed on the monuments are of substantial help to the study of the history of the Korean people’s struggle to defend the independence of their country and nation from foreign aggression. They serve as hard data for correctly explaining the Korean ancestors’ high architectural skills of building fortresses and the years and processes of their construction.
The monument was built in or near the fortress, but when the fortress was repaired several times, a monument was sometimes built separately.
One of the most typical monuments in the DPRK is found in Nyongbyon, North Phyongan Province.
The monument stands near the Chonju Temple on the hillside southeast of Yaksandongdae west of Chorong Fortress.
It was erected in 1684. Characters meaning chorongbi are inscribed on the upper part of the face, and below them comes the fact that the fortress was built and repaired several times.
According to the records, a legion of soldiers and civilians were mobilized to build and repair the fortress from 1416 to 1684. In addition, over 200 different cannons were made by casting molten iron, and the sound of gunfire went as far as 40 kilometres.
Similar monuments still remain in the country.
Kim Hyon
More From Naenara (En)
Regions in the DPRK are changing their appearance every year. Last year alone more than 32 000 houses were built in several
January 07, 2026
Regions in the DPRK are changing their appearance every year. Last year alone more than 32 000 houses were built in several
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un always stresses that the people’s demands and interests should be regarded as absolute criteria
January 07, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un always stresses that the people’s demands and interests should be regarded as absolute criteria
The Pyongyang General Electric Cable Factory 326 is making innovations in the production of various kinds of electric cables from
January 07, 2026
The Pyongyang General Electric Cable Factory 326 is making innovations in the production of various kinds of electric cables from
Last year Korean athletes brought home many gold medals from international competitions, adding lustre to the dignity and honour
January 07, 2026
Last year Korean athletes brought home many gold medals from international competitions, adding lustre to the dignity and honour
A national photo exhibition "Ushering in an era of gigantic transformation for comprehensive development of Korean-style
January 07, 2026
A national photo exhibition "Ushering in an era of gigantic transformation for comprehensive development of Korean-style
New houses have been built at the Taljon Farm in Tanchon City and Kuup and Rimphyong farms in Yodok County, South Hamgyong
January 07, 2026
New houses have been built at the Taljon Farm in Tanchon City and Kuup and Rimphyong farms in Yodok County, South Hamgyong
Over the past five years the DPRK has pushed a dynamic nature-remaking campaign to develop agricultural production in a
January 06, 2026
Over the past five years the DPRK has pushed a dynamic nature-remaking campaign to develop agricultural production in a
Workers of the Kujang Cement Factory in the DPRK carried out the blasting of 100 000 cubic meters of earth on January 4. The
January 06, 2026
Workers of the Kujang Cement Factory in the DPRK carried out the blasting of 100 000 cubic meters of earth on January 4. The
2025 was a historic year of transformation that is of great significance in the progress and development of Korean-style
January 06, 2026
2025 was a historic year of transformation that is of great significance in the progress and development of Korean-style
Efforts are channelled into Taekwon-Do education in the DPRK. Pyongyang Municipal Taekwon-Do College, Kangwon Provincial
January 06, 2026
Efforts are channelled into Taekwon-Do education in the DPRK. Pyongyang Municipal Taekwon-Do College, Kangwon Provincial
New houses were built at the Changbong Farm in Jonchon County and the Ryonsong Farm in Chosan County, Jagang Province of the DPRK.
January 06, 2026
New houses were built at the Changbong Farm in Jonchon County and the Ryonsong Farm in Chosan County, Jagang Province of the DPRK.
Changgwang Restaurants in the heart of the capital city of Pyongyang embrace the Unhasu Restaurant, Rungna Restaurant, Changgwang
January 05, 2026
Changgwang Restaurants in the heart of the capital city of Pyongyang embrace the Unhasu Restaurant, Rungna Restaurant, Changgwang
The DPRK goes full steam ahead with the Regional Development 20×10 Policy geared to fundamentally transforming its regional
January 05, 2026
The DPRK goes full steam ahead with the Regional Development 20×10 Policy geared to fundamentally transforming its regional
The Paektusan Institute of Architecture in Central District of Pyongyang was founded in July 1982. With institutes for design and
January 05, 2026
The Paektusan Institute of Architecture in Central District of Pyongyang was founded in July 1982. With institutes for design and
Proud entities showing rural development were built at the Pobu Farm in Kaechon City and the Phungthan and Phyongni farms in
January 05, 2026
Proud entities showing rural development were built at the Pobu Farm in Kaechon City and the Phungthan and Phyongni farms in
Agricultural workers of the Songjuk Industrial Crop Farm under the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the
January 04, 2026
Agricultural workers of the Songjuk Industrial Crop Farm under the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the
Remarkable progress has been made in increasing the proportion of mechanization in farm work on a yearly basis in the DPRK. In
January 04, 2026
Remarkable progress has been made in increasing the proportion of mechanization in farm work on a yearly basis in the DPRK. In
Laughter and songs of the blessed younger generations growing up spiritedly and cheerfully under the care of the motherly
January 03, 2026
Laughter and songs of the blessed younger generations growing up spiritedly and cheerfully under the care of the motherly
On the occasion of the significant New Year 2026, all the people across the DPRK pay high tribute to President Kim Il Sung and
January 03, 2026
On the occasion of the significant New Year 2026, all the people across the DPRK pay high tribute to President Kim Il Sung and
New houses were built at the Choun Farm in Hamhung City and the Ssangbong Farm in Hoesang District, South Hamgyong Province, when
January 03, 2026
New houses were built at the Choun Farm in Hamhung City and the Ssangbong Farm in Hoesang District, South Hamgyong Province, when
More Articles