Part 7/8:
The medals don’t stop at humans; they extend to inanimate objects as well, illustrating absurdity in the DPRK’s approach to recognition. In 2001, a 15-ton pneumatic hammer was awarded both the Hero of the Republic and the Hero of Labor titles after operating continuously for three decades.
This glorification extended beyond merely machines; even a tree received the Hero of the Republic title after allegedly sheltering a vehicle from a crash during the Korean War. Such extraordinary awards for mundane or non-human subjects reflect the regime’s broader strategy to saturate the public with symbols of achievement amidst a backdrop of hardship.