CHOLLIMA ON THE WING
Pyongyang’s Chollima Statue symbolizes “the heroic mettle and indomitable spirit of the Korean people who are making ceaseless innovations and continuous advances so quickly, at the speed of the Chollima.”
Chollima (literally “thousand-mile horse”) frequently featuring in North Korean propaganda, is a mythical winged horse that originates from the Chinese classics. This winged horse is said to be too swift and elegant to be mounted by any mortal man.
Foundational Propaganda Icon
The Chollima is a foundational propaganda icon in North Korea and gave its name to the Chollima Movement. The movement promoted fast economic development, similar to that of the Chinese Great Leap Forward and the Soviet Stakhanovite movement. Following the Korean War, the country required extensive rebuilding. To expedite the construction pace, Kim Il Sung promoted the slogan “rush as the speed of Chollima.”The Chollima is a foundational propaganda icon in North Korea and gave its name to the Chollima Movement. The movement promoted fast economic development, similar to that of the Chinese Great Leap Forward and the Soviet Stakhanovite movement. Following the Korean War, the country required extensive rebuilding. To expedite the construction pace, Kim Il Sung promoted the slogan “rush as the speed of Chollima.”
The Chollima Statue on Pyongyang’s Chilsongmun Street between Moran Hill and Mansu Hill symbolizes “heroism, the constant fighting spirit of the Korean people, and the innovations and advance so quickly, at the speed of the Chollima.” The Chollima depicted by the monument is said to travel 1,000 ri (400 km) each day.
A 34-meter pedestal lifts the bronze sculpture of a worker and peasant woman who are mounted on Chollima towards the heavens. In his raised hand the worker holds aloft the Red Letter issued by the Central Committee of the Worker’s Party of Korea while the peasant woman carries a sheaf of rice.A 34-meter pedestal lifts the bronze sculpture of a worker and peasant woman who are mounted on Chollima towards the heavens. In his raised hand the worker holds aloft the Red Letter issued by the Central Committee of the Worker’s Party of Korea while the peasant woman carries a sheaf of rice.
Chollima’s 440 km per day speed was fast enough for the previous leaders; Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. The Chollima Movement inspired workers to achieve advances and increased efficiencies in the past, however, Kim Jong Un’s ambitions have called for an even faster imaginary horse that encourages North Koreans to work harder to achieve the young leader’s economic goals.
North Korea’s propaganda media frequently reports Kim Jong Un’s urgent need for the country to overcome all challenges and difficulties and to charge ahead at full speed with rapid development. Mallima is the North Korean mythical horse for these modern times, like Chollima it can run very long distances at breakneck speeds. With a pace of 4,400 km per day, it travels ten times faster than Chollima.
North Korean workers are now encouraged to become “Mallima Riders," to produce a world-class result, increasing quality at a faster rate; at Mallima speed.
