North Korea builds monuments around the world
In an attempt to generate goodwill and bring in currency despite international sanctions, North Korea's Mansudae Art Studio has built massive monuments for countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. North Korea's most lucrative relationship is in Africa, where diplomatic ties date back to the Cold War. Mansudae's foreign projects have reportedly brought an estimated $260 million over the years.
The Monument of the African Renaissance, on a hill overlooking the capital of Senegal, was built by North Korea's Mansudae Overseas Project in 2010. At 160 feet tall, the bronze statue is one of the largest in the world. It cost $27 million.
Statue of King Béhanzin - Abomey, Benin
North Korea built this statue in 2006 honoring the 11th king of Béhanzin, who fought against French colonialism in the 1890s.
Three Dikgosi Monument - Gaborone, Botswana
Built in 2005, the monument features Khama III of Bangwato, Sebele I of Bakwena, and Bathoen I of Bangwaketse, three tribal leaders who helped Botswana gain independence from the British empire.
Laurent-Désiré Kabila statue - Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Built in 2002, this 25-foot tall statue depicts Laurent-Désiré Kabila, former leader of the Democratic Republic of the Congo who was assassinated in 2001.
Samora Machel Statue - Maputo, Mozambique
North Korea built this statue of Mozambique's first president, Samora Moises Machel, completed in 2011.
Angkor Panorama Museum - Siem Reap, Cambodia
Mansudae built this museum, costing a reported $24 million. Over 60 North Korean artists created the museum's main attraction, a 390-foot long, 42-foot high panoramic mural depicting 12th century Angkor history. The museum opened in 2016.
Angkor Panorama Museum - Siem Reap, Cambodia
This photo shows a visitor looking at a painting at the Angkor Panorama Museum. The museum, outside Cambodia's Angkor Wat complex, was built by North Korea as part of a lucrative campaign to export its monumental art to a handful of foreign allies.
Tiglachin Monument - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
In 1984, when North Korea had a stronger economy with Chinese and Soviet aid, the country donated the "Struggle" monument in Addis Ababa to Ethiopian and Cuban soldiers who fought against Somalia.
Agostinho Neto Cultural Center - Luanda, Angola
The 120-metre (394-foot) tall obelisk was built in honor of the first president of Angola, Dr. António Agostinho Neto.
Joshua Nkomo statue - Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Created by North Korea in 2010, the statue upset some Zimbabweans since North Korea also helped train the notorious Fifth Brigade, a unit sent to destroy Nkomo's ZAPU rebel group in the early 1980s.
Fairy Tale Fountain - Frankfurt, Germany
The fountain was built in 2005.
National Heroes Acre - Windhoek, Namibia
North Korea built this war memorial in the southern African nation of Namibia in 2002, for a reported $5 million.