Many communist countries' propaganda artwork has similar themes and North Korea's is no different. Subjects such as a leader's cult of personality, military might, utopian society and devotion to the state are common, and most North Korean billboards carry slogans rather than advertisements.

(Eric Laffourgue/Gamma-Rapho)

Late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is credited with mythologizing the Kim family and making its identity inseparable from the country's. The Kim family have ruled the nation since its founding by Kim Il Sung in 1948.

Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on a propaganda poster, May 10, 2010, in Pyonyang, North Korea. (Eric Laffourgue/Gamma-Rapho)

Kim Jong Il on a propaganda poster on April 26, 2010 in Wonsan, North Korea. (Eric Laffourgue/Gamma-Rapho)

A North Korean propaganda poster depicting arts and culture subordinated to political and economic aims, Sept. 1, 2005, in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Patrick Aventurier/Gamma-Rapho)

A North Korean soldier holds ammunition to blow up Capitol Hill in Washington, in this poster released by Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency, Jan. 31, 2003. The Korean Banner reads: "Ruthless Punishment to U.S. Imperialism." (Korea News Service/AP Photo)

In this January 2002 photo from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency, a poster appeals: "Let's make a strong grand nation and celebrate the 90th anniversary of our great leader!" (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/AP Images)

Kim Jong Il the soccer fan, on a propaganda poster in North Korea, June 17, 2009. (Eric Laffourgue/Gamma-Rapho)

(Eric Laffourgue/Gamma-Rapho)

(Eric Laffourgue/Gamma-Rapho)

(Eric Laffourgue/Gamma-Rapho)

(Eric Laffourgue/Gamma-Rapho)

(Eric Laffourgue/Gamma-Rapho)

A painting of Kim Jong Il on display at a cinema studio shows him supervising a film shoot, Aug. 14, 2006, in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Alain Nogues/Corbis)