The original Bongsu Church was built in September 1988 . At the time , it was the first church built in North Korea after the Korean War , during which all churches in the North were destroyed , and the first one built during communist rule as well . It was opened just ahead of the 1989 World Festival of Youth and Students that was held in Pyongyang . The church was built to showcase freedom of religion in North Korea , amid international pressure concerning the issue . The construction cost half a million won ( 250,000 dollars ) and was funded by Christians from overseas . Until the 1990s , there was no Christian cross on top of the church . One was added when visiting foreign Christians pointed out the omission
1989 World Festival of Youth and Students
13th World Festival of Youth and Students
Bongsu Church