In North Korea, pins of the great leaders are ubiquitous – every citizen is required to wear at least one on the left side of their chest, close to the heart. This has become a defining feature of North Korean identity. But did you know that North Korea once produced pins of foreign leaders in the 1970s?
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WHY PINS OF FOREIGN LEADERS WERE MADE BY NORTH KOREA
Inspired by the Chairman Mao pins produced during the Cultural Revolution in the late 1960s, North Korea also began creating pins and badges featuring President Kim Il Sung to reinforce his absolute authority. By the 1970s, mass production of these pins was well underway.
Due to the presence of great leaders’ portraits on these pins, they were theoretically not for sale, as this could risk desecration. Foreigners who wished to obtain one had to apply through relevant North Korean authorities, effectively making the pins a form of state-issued recognition.
In the 1970s, North Korea was at the peak of its socialist construction. To strengthen its international influence and foster close ties with allied nations, the government decided to produce pins of foreign leaders as diplomatic gifts. These pins were not only a reflection of North Korean culture but also a means to demonstrate respect and reinforce diplomatic relations.
PINS OF FOREIGN LEADERS: JOSIP BROZ TITO OF YUGOSLAVIA
North Korea and Yugoslavia maintained a strong diplomatic relationship, as both nations were socialist states with a high degree of ideological alignment.
In 1948, the famous Tito of Yugoslavia broke ties with Stalin and the Soviet Union, choosing a non-aligned path. He later founded the Non-Aligned Movement, advocating for independence from the direct influence of both the U.S. and Soviet blocs. Although North Korea maintained good relations with the Soviet Union, it also joined the Non-Aligned Movement as a formal member.
As the supreme leaders of their respective nations, Kim Il Sung and Tito met multiple times on the international stage, developing a strong personal rapport. They held mutual admiration – Tito repeatedly praised Kim Il Sung’s independent policies and resistance to great-power domination, while Kim Il Sung expressed deep respect for Tito’s leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement.
Throughout the 1970s, Kim and Tito exchanged letters frequently and conducted state visits. In 1975, Kim Il Sung visited Yugoslavia, meeting Tito in Belgrade. Two years later, in 1977, Tito visited Pyongyang, where he awarded Kim the Order of the Yugoslav Star, while Kim Il Sung honoured him with the title of Hero of the Republic.
It was during Tito’s 1977 visit that North Korea produced a pin featuring his portrait and presented it to him as a gift. The round pin depicted Tito in military uniform against a white background. As part of the visit, North Korea also hosted a mass game in his honour, reflecting the unique closeness between the two nations.
PINS OF FOREIGN LEADERS: GNASSINGBE EYADEMA OF TOGO
Gnassingbé Eyadéma, the father of Togo’s current president, was one of Africa’s longest-serving heads of state.
In 1963, he led a coup that overthrew Togo’s first president, only to stage another coup in 1967, toppling the second president with whom he had originally conspired. From then on, he ruled as Togo’s lifelong president. During his tenure, he joined the Non-Aligned Movement while maintaining friendly relations with both the United States and France, using phosphate mining to drive Togo’s economic growth.
To consolidate his power, he engaged in extensive personality cult propaganda. His efforts included a dedicated troupe of around 1,000 female dancers performing songs in his praise, comic books portraying him as the invincible Captain Togo, and the establishment of the Feast of Victory Over Forces of Evil to commemorate a failed coup attempt against him. Combining these with elements of traditional Voodoo (Vodún) beliefs, he maintained his rule over Togo for 38 years.
However, when it comes to personality cults, North Korea is the true master. Despite being a pro-American and pro-French leader, Eyadéma also developed strong diplomatic ties with China and North Korea as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
In 1974, during an Asian tour, he visited both China and North Korea, meeting Chairman Mao Zedong and President Kim Il Sung. North Korea had long maintained good relations with Togo, even sending military advisors to the country during the Cold War. It was during this visit to Pyongyang that Kim Il Sung was awarded the Togolese Order of Mono, while Eyadéma received a specially crafted North Korean pin.
This set of pins of foreign leaders featured two distinct designs, both depicting a frontal portrait of Eyadéma on a white background. One showed him in formal attire, while the other depicted him in military uniform – symbolising both his roles as a soldier and a statesman. These pins reflected North Korea’s recognition of his leadership and its respect for him as a political figure. Furthermore, North Korea’s Mansudae Art Studio later went on to produce a statue of Eyadéma in northern Togo, further cementing their diplomatic relationship.
CONCLUSION
The pins of foreign leaders produced by North Korea in the 1970s were more than just a showcase of the country’s craftsmanship and cultural expression – they were also a gesture of respect towards these leaders, helping to foster strong bilateral relations.
YPT is best known for our North Korea tours, but we can also take you beyond. In our China tours, you can visit the last Mao-era collective village, a rare glimpse into a bygone socialist world.
And, of course, we can take you to the very countries where North Korea’s pins of foreign leaders were once gifted. On our Yugoslavia tours, you’ll explore the history and legacy of the strongman Tito. Meanwhile, our Togo tours offer a chance to witness the enduring rule of the Gnassingbé family and the Voodoo (Vodún) traditions that helped shape their political power.
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