Overview
The Foreign Language Bookshop is a store in Pyongyang stocking North Korean texts translated into foreign languages. The store also stocks an assortment of North Korean propaganda souvenir items. Texts are available in English, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, German and French. The store is typically the first port of call for recently released publications and mementos, as stock is cycled regularly.
Location
The Foreign Languages Bookshop is located on Sungri Street in central Pyongyang. It’s situated on the bottom floor on the corner of an unassuming building and easy to drive past without knowing it’s there! It’s a short walk from Kim Il Sung Square, and directly opposite Pyongyang Department Store No. 1.
Nearby landmarks include the Grand People’s Study House, Mansudae Grand Monument and the Juche Tower across the Taedong River.
What’s Inside?
The Foreign Languages Bookshop is quite small, but its catalogue is both stagnant and everchanging, as you’ll find books from decades ago alongside those that are fresh off the press. The subject matter is exclusively North Korean, sure to make for an interesting browse!
Publications include political texts and pamphlets, hardback coffee-table books, magazines, newspapers, brochures, and the translated works of North Korea’s leadership. You can expect topics along the lines of photo albums of the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, anti-imperialist teachings, pocketbooks of anecdotes of Kim Jong Il’s life, texts defining the Juche ideology, and Encyclopedia’s of the Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia. There’s something for everyone!
Beyond books, you’ll find an array of products such as hand-painted propaganda posters, oil paintings, stamp sets, CD’s/DVD’s, postcards, currency collections, and token souvenirs such as magnets and pins.
The Foreign Languages Bookshop is particularly good for sourcing propaganda posters that reflect the current political climate or events.
What’s the Process?
Products in the bookshop don’t have price tags, and with a large group, this can quickly turn to chaos. However, the clerks inside are extremely efficient and can price anything of interest on the spot. If you’re looking for something specific, simply ask, as floor space is limited and there’s often further stock out the back to peruse through.
Chinese RMB, Euro, and USD are accepted, but change can be limited. As such, it’s imperative you have small notes unless purchasing larger ticket items.
The staff will carefully fold and prepare your items in Pyongyang gift wrap paper, often placing your goods in a brightly coloured silk bag to strut away with! Some items, such as newspapers depicting the leadership, are folded in a particular manner and we recommend taking special care to the storage of such items, or simply waiting until you leave the country to open them.
For posters and artworks, the receipt will often be taped on the outside wrapping. It’s important to keep this receipt as you may need to show it to customs officials on your departure from North Korea.
Visiting on Our Tours
The Foreign Language Bookshop is a mainstay for souvenirs on our itineraries due to their range, timely stock, and convenient location. We typically visit the Foreign Languages Bookshop as part of a city walk in Pyongyang.
Importantly, the Foreign Language Bookshop is certainly not the only place to buy souvenirs in North Korea, nor is it broaching on exhaustive, so if you don’t find anything here don’t fret, you’ll have plenty of opportunity for North Korea souvenirs on your tour with us.
Bonus: The Foreign Language Bookshop has traditionally been a perfect spot to take photos of North Korea’s iconic traffic ladies, with one posted on the busy intersection just outside the front door!