For the first time, North Korean artworks are on display outside the isolated state. Moscow’s All-Russian Museum of Decorative Art has opened an exhibition titled The Country of the Great People, showcasing 123 paintings that portray North Korea’s urban landscapes, rural life, new coastal resorts, and strikingly, scenes of North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian troops in Ukraine.
The exhibition underscores a growing cultural partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang as both nations deepen ties under international isolation. Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova hailed the exhibition as “unique,” adding that preparations are underway for “a number of major cultural events in the DPRK,” though no details were offered.
According to the exhibition catalog, the works are designed to celebrate the “mighty defense power” and “unbending spirit” of the North Korean people under Kim Jong Un’s leadership. The paintings glorify collective sacrifice, loyalty to the party, and achievements that the catalog describes as the fulfillment of “dreams and ideals” across generations.
The themes blend traditional socialist realism with militarized imagery, situating art not only as cultural expression but also as political messaging. By highlighting images of North Korean and Russian soldiers side by side, the exhibition visually reinforces the narrative of solidarity in wartime struggle.
Beyond their propaganda value, the works also offer a rare glimpse into how North Korea projects its identity: industrious citizens, pristine development projects, and unwavering devotion to state and leader. For Russia, hosting the exhibition provides a symbolic gesture of cultural alignment at a time of heightened geopolitical confrontation with the West.
