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)
There took place a short course for the participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, the
March 01, 2026
There took place a short course for the participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, the
A Pyongyang military-civilian meeting and a public procession took place with splendour at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. The
March 01, 2026
A Pyongyang military-civilian meeting and a public procession took place with splendour at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. The
A reception was given at the Mokran House on February 27 for the special guests who were invited to the celebrations of the Ninth
March 01, 2026
A reception was given at the Mokran House on February 27 for the special guests who were invited to the celebrations of the Ninth
The participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea conducted various political and cultural activities. While
March 01, 2026
The participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea conducted various political and cultural activities. While
The 39th Sci-tech Festival of Kim Il Sung University took place in the DPRK from February 25 to 27. Presented to the festival held
March 01, 2026
The 39th Sci-tech Festival of Kim Il Sung University took place in the DPRK from February 25 to 27. Presented to the festival held
Youth and students had a gala evening at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. Among the spectators were Pak Thae Song, member of the
March 01, 2026
Youth and students had a gala evening at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. Among the spectators were Pak Thae Song, member of the
The 2026 National Winter Games closed at the ice hockey gymnasium in the Paektusan area sports village in Samjiyon City, Ryanggang
March 01, 2026
The 2026 National Winter Games closed at the ice hockey gymnasium in the Paektusan area sports village in Samjiyon City, Ryanggang
At the beginning of the last century Japan militarily occupied Korea to impose an unprecedentedly harsh rule, forcing the Koreans
March 01, 2026
At the beginning of the last century Japan militarily occupied Korea to impose an unprecedentedly harsh rule, forcing the Koreans
Ryomyong Primary School in Taesong District, Pyongyang, is steadily improving the educational informatization. In a bid to make
February 28, 2026
Ryomyong Primary School in Taesong District, Pyongyang, is steadily improving the educational informatization. In a bid to make
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
February 28, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
The Mindulle Notebook Factory is situated on the banks of the Pothong River in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK. The
February 28, 2026
The Mindulle Notebook Factory is situated on the banks of the Pothong River in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK. The
From olden times Korea has been called a land of golden tapestry for its beautiful mountains and limpid streams. The mountains and
February 28, 2026
From olden times Korea has been called a land of golden tapestry for its beautiful mountains and limpid streams. The mountains and
The Paektusan Millyong Hot Spring is located in the city of Samjiyon, Ryanggang Province in the northern part of the DPRK. In the
February 28, 2026
The Paektusan Millyong Hot Spring is located in the city of Samjiyon, Ryanggang Province in the northern part of the DPRK. In the
Receptions were given in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, on February 26 to commemorate the Ninth Congress of the
February 27, 2026
Receptions were given in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, on February 26 to commemorate the Ninth Congress of the
The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in January 2021 set it as a core task in socialist construction to
February 27, 2026
The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in January 2021 set it as a core task in socialist construction to
Days ago, the inauguration ceremony of 10 000 flats at the fourth stage in the Hwasong area celebrating the overfulfilment of the
February 27, 2026
Days ago, the inauguration ceremony of 10 000 flats at the fourth stage in the Hwasong area celebrating the overfulfilment of the
One day in November 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Phothae-dong, Samjiyon City. The dwelling houses and
February 27, 2026
One day in November 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Phothae-dong, Samjiyon City. The dwelling houses and
February 16 witnessed a splendid inauguration ceremony of 10 000 flats at the fourth stage in the Hwasong area in Pyongyang, the
February 27, 2026
February 16 witnessed a splendid inauguration ceremony of 10 000 flats at the fourth stage in the Hwasong area in Pyongyang, the
The Onpho Working People’s Holiday Camp opened in the DPRK.The holiday camp, located in a picturesque place, has hot spring therap
February 27, 2026
The Onpho Working People’s Holiday Camp opened in the DPRK.The holiday camp, located in a picturesque place, has hot spring therap
A grand artistic performance was given at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on February 26 to commemorate the Ninth Congress of the
February 27, 2026
A grand artistic performance was given at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on February 26 to commemorate the Ninth Congress of the
More Articles