A tower of eternal life stands in Pyongyang, North Korea. Another tower in a regional city in North Korea was the target of an attempted bombing in July. File photo by Rodong Sinmun/Yonhap

SEOUL, July 10 (UPI) -- Suspects with homemade bombs attempted to detonate a symbol of the North Korean regime in July, according to a source inside the country.

The monuments known as the towers of "eternal life" are frequently found in North Korean towns and cities, and used to idolize the Kim regime. A tower in Dokchon, South Pyongan Province was the target of a failed bombing, South Korean news outlet Newsis reported.


A source in North Korea's Jagang Province, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Radio Free Asia the incident occurred on the night of July 2.

Clues at the scene indicated more than one suspect may have been involved in the plot.

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The bombers had filled portable gasoline containers with nitrogen fertilizer then attempted to detonate the tower of eternal life in Dokchon.

The gas containers used by the suspects were scattered around the monument. South Korean news outlet No Cut News reported authorities mobilized extra soldiers and loyal students with an emergency call, and dispatched them as extra security personnel at various areas of worship devoted to North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

North Korea is to hold regional elections on July 19, said another source in Yanggang Province, and it is likely special security forces are to remain dispatched at other towers of eternal life in the country.

Authorities have failed to apprehend the suspects, and security has been heightened near Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il statues, areas of public art and altars devoted to the North Korean leadership, according to a third source in North Hamkyong Province.