January 02, 2026Jan 02, 2026
KCNA KCNA.kp (En)

250-mile Journey for National Liberation

Date: 22/01/2021 | Source: KCNA.kp (En) | Read original version at source

Pyongyang, January 22 (KCNA) -- It has been 96 years since President Kim Il Sung made a 250-mile journey for national liberation.

The President left alone Mangyongdae in Pyongyang for Badaogou in China at the age of 13 and the Korean people are calling this course the 250-mile journey for national liberation.

True to the intention of his father that a man born in Korea must have a good knowledge of Korea, he came to Mangyongdae for learning early in the 1920s. Then, he received the news that his father had been arrested again by the Japanese police.

With a firm resolve to take vengeance for his father, his family and the Korean nation, he left Mangyongdae on January 22, Juche 14 (1925).

He had spent only two years back in Korea. In those days, he got a clear understanding that Japanese imperialism was the most heinous destroyer of the liberty and dignity of the Korean people and a vicious aggressor and plunderer imposing unbearable poverty and hunger upon them and came to have a firm belief that such aggressors could be driven out through a struggle only.

He arrived in Phophyong of Kim Hyong Jik County, Ryanggang Province (then Huchang County of North Phyongan Province) after the lapse of 13 days and crossed the Amnok River with a grim resolve not to return before Korea had become independent.

Remembering those days, the President in his reminiscences "With the Century" wrote as follows:

"I looked back at the mountains in the motherland over and again with sorrow and indignation. I thought: My dear Korea, I am leaving you. I know I cannot live even for a moment away from you, but I am crossing the Amnok to win you back. Across this river is a foreign land, but I will not forget you, even in there. Wait for me, my Korea."

Keeping his pledge made in his teens, the President achieved the historic cause of national liberation in August 1945 by leading the anti-Japanese revolutionary war to victory. -0-

More From KCNA.kp (En)

Press Review

Press Review

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Friday: - The

January 02, 2026

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Friday: - The

New Year Performance Given by Schoolchildren

New Year Performance Given by Schoolchildren

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- Laughter and songs of the blessed younger generations growing up spiritedly and cheerfully under

January 02, 2026

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- Laughter and songs of the blessed younger generations growing up spiritedly and cheerfully under

New Houses Built in South Hamgyong Province

New Houses Built in South Hamgyong Province

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- New houses were built at Choun Farm in Hamhung City and Ssangbong Farm in Hoesang District, South

January 02, 2026

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- New houses were built at Choun Farm in Hamhung City and Ssangbong Farm in Hoesang District, South

New Year 2026 Significantly Greeted in DPRK

New Year 2026 Significantly Greeted in DPRK

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- All the people across the DPRK significantly greeted the hopeful New Year 2026. On the morning of

January 02, 2026

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- All the people across the DPRK significantly greeted the hopeful New Year 2026. On the morning of

Greetings to Cuban President of Council of Ministers

Greetings to Cuban President of Council of Ministers

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- Pak Thae Song, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, sent a message of greeting to Manuel Marrero Cruz,

January 02, 2026

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- Pak Thae Song, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, sent a message of greeting to Manuel Marrero Cruz,

Greetings to Cuban FM

Greetings to Cuban FM

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a message of

January 02, 2026

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a message of

Increased Production in Different Units of National Economy

Increased Production in Different Units of National Economy

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- Various units of the national economy are increasing production in the new year's advance. The

January 02, 2026

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- Various units of the national economy are increasing production in the new year's advance. The

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Visits Kumsusan Palace of Sun

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Visits Kumsusan Palace of Sun

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- All the people across the DPRK are paying the highest tribute to President Kim Il Sung and Chairman

January 02, 2026

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- All the people across the DPRK are paying the highest tribute to President Kim Il Sung and Chairman

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Sends Greetings to Cuban President

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Sends Greetings to Cuban President

Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs

January 01, 2026

Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs

New Year Celebration Performance Given in DPRK

New Year Celebration Performance Given in DPRK

Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) -- The hopeful new year 2026 has come to the country dynamically advancing toward the grand goal of

January 01, 2026

Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) -- The hopeful new year 2026 has come to the country dynamically advancing toward the grand goal of

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un's Speech at New Year Celebration

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un's Speech at New Year Celebration

Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) -- The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un made a speech at a New Year celebration. The full text of his

January 01, 2026

Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) -- The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un made a speech at a New Year celebration. The full text of his

Touching Story Associated with Orphanage on New Year's Day

Touching Story Associated with Orphanage on New Year's Day

The respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un visited the Pyongyang Orphanage on the New Year of 2015 to keep his promise he made to

January 01, 2026

The respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un visited the Pyongyang Orphanage on the New Year of 2015 to keep his promise he made to

More Articles