January 22 is the day when President Kim Il Sung in his teens embarked on the 250-mile journey for national liberation with an ambition to win back his country lost to the Japanese imperialists.
Nearly one century has passed since then. But, still today, the Korean people significantly commemorate the day.
One day in January Juche 14 (1925), some months before graduation from Changdok School in Korea, Kim Il Sung was told that his father Kim Hyong Jik, an indomitable revolutionary fighter, was arrested by the Japanese police.
With a firm determination to take his revenge on the enemy of his father, his family and his nation and win back his country, he left his native home at Mangyongdae for Badaogou in Changbai County in northeast China and embarked on the road of the 250-mile journey for national liberation.
It was on January 22, Juche 14 (1925).
The thirteenth day after his departure from Mangyongdae, he arrived at a ferry of the Amnok River in Phophyong. Standing on the riverside covered with snow, he looked back at the motherland groaning under the Japanese military colonial rule.
Singing the Song of the Amnok River, he made a grim resolve not to return before Korea would have become independent.
… …
Blue waters of Amnok, my homeland,
Wait the day I return to you.
I crossed to attain our dearest wish
I’ll return when we have won.
True to his resolve made that day, Kim Il Sung waged a bloody struggle against the Japanese imperialists and finally accomplished the historic cause of Korea’s liberation in August 1945.
More From Naenara (En)
Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a reply letter to Vladimir
January 09, 2026
Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a reply letter to Vladimir
Since the programme of the rural revolution in the new era was set forth in 2022, rural communities across the DPRK have made
January 09, 2026
Since the programme of the rural revolution in the new era was set forth in 2022, rural communities across the DPRK have made
The Natural Energy Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has developed a new methane gas production technology. Previously,
January 09, 2026
The Natural Energy Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has developed a new methane gas production technology. Previously,
Modern houses have been built at the Chilgol Vegetable Farm in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang Municipality and public and
January 09, 2026
Modern houses have been built at the Chilgol Vegetable Farm in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang Municipality and public and
The DPRK team ranked first in the country and region standings at the 2025 IWF World Championships held in Norway in October last
January 09, 2026
The DPRK team ranked first in the country and region standings at the 2025 IWF World Championships held in Norway in October last
The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sent a congratulatory message to the Twelfth Congress of the Lao People's
January 08, 2026
The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sent a congratulatory message to the Twelfth Congress of the Lao People's
The 13th Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in December last year referred to
January 08, 2026
The 13th Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in December last year referred to
In recent years, many public leisure facilities have been built across the DPRK. Art theatres and open-air theatres were renovated
January 08, 2026
In recent years, many public leisure facilities have been built across the DPRK. Art theatres and open-air theatres were renovated
News of house-moving ceremonies which show a rapid development of the countryside is heard from Jagang Province of the DPRK day
January 08, 2026
News of house-moving ceremonies which show a rapid development of the countryside is heard from Jagang Province of the DPRK day
Regions in the DPRK are changing their appearance every year. Last year alone more than 32 000 houses were built in several
January 07, 2026
Regions in the DPRK are changing their appearance every year. Last year alone more than 32 000 houses were built in several
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un always stresses that the people’s demands and interests should be regarded as absolute criteria
January 07, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un always stresses that the people’s demands and interests should be regarded as absolute criteria
The Pyongyang General Electric Cable Factory 326 is making innovations in the production of various kinds of electric cables from
January 07, 2026
The Pyongyang General Electric Cable Factory 326 is making innovations in the production of various kinds of electric cables from
Last year Korean athletes brought home many gold medals from international competitions, adding lustre to the dignity and honour
January 07, 2026
Last year Korean athletes brought home many gold medals from international competitions, adding lustre to the dignity and honour
A national photo exhibition "Ushering in an era of gigantic transformation for comprehensive development of Korean-style
January 07, 2026
A national photo exhibition "Ushering in an era of gigantic transformation for comprehensive development of Korean-style
New houses have been built at the Taljon Farm in Tanchon City and Kuup and Rimphyong farms in Yodok County, South Hamgyong
January 07, 2026
New houses have been built at the Taljon Farm in Tanchon City and Kuup and Rimphyong farms in Yodok County, South Hamgyong
Over the past five years the DPRK has pushed a dynamic nature-remaking campaign to develop agricultural production in a
January 06, 2026
Over the past five years the DPRK has pushed a dynamic nature-remaking campaign to develop agricultural production in a
Workers of the Kujang Cement Factory in the DPRK carried out the blasting of 100 000 cubic meters of earth on January 4. The
January 06, 2026
Workers of the Kujang Cement Factory in the DPRK carried out the blasting of 100 000 cubic meters of earth on January 4. The
2025 was a historic year of transformation that is of great significance in the progress and development of Korean-style
January 06, 2026
2025 was a historic year of transformation that is of great significance in the progress and development of Korean-style
Efforts are channelled into Taekwon-Do education in the DPRK. Pyongyang Municipal Taekwon-Do College, Kangwon Provincial
January 06, 2026
Efforts are channelled into Taekwon-Do education in the DPRK. Pyongyang Municipal Taekwon-Do College, Kangwon Provincial
New houses were built at the Changbong Farm in Jonchon County and the Ryonsong Farm in Chosan County, Jagang Province of the DPRK.
January 06, 2026
New houses were built at the Changbong Farm in Jonchon County and the Ryonsong Farm in Chosan County, Jagang Province of the DPRK.
More Articles
