The Korean people love the tree not merely because their history of using it is so long and its value is great. The tree grows well in any place including dry soil, field, sandy soil and beach, and is so full of vitality as to strike root even on the rock.
Even in a terrible winter when most kinds of trees are bereft of their leaves, it remains green.
The Korean people regarded the evergreen tree as a symbol of invariable constancy and obligation, and loved it as a symbol of the mettle of the nation.
There is a village with an old name of Solla in Kangdong, Pyongyang, where Tangun, father of the Korean nation and founder of Korea, was born. Solla village means pine village.
In Kangdong thick with pines Tangun not only honed martial arts but also cultivated his personality as staunch and firm as the tree, thus founding Ancient Joson, the first state in the history of Korea.
Wang Kon, founder of Koryo, the first unified state in Korea, had close relations with the tree.
Originally Mt Songak in Kaesong had a different name. After establishing Koguryo, Korean ancestors, who were determined to unite other countries of the same blood into a state, planted lots of pines on the mountain, and named it Mt Songak. There goes a story that Wang Kon was born when the mountain had become thick with pines and improved in state.
And the old name of Kaesong, capital city of Koryo, was Songdo. There is the Korean phrase Kongnyongchongsong which means that the capital city of Koryo is as green as the tree. Choe Chi Won, a famous poet of Later Silla, wrote the phrase, encouraging King Wang Kon who cherished the will to unify the whole territory of Korea.
Not a few literary works sing of the spirit and mettle of the nation by referring to the tree.
The strong mettle of the tree is reflected in Taekwon-Do, the orthodox martial art of the nation. Taekwon-Do practitioners attach importance to training in a snow-covered pine forest. The back of Taekwon-Do uniform is printed with the word Taekwon-Do in the shape of an evergreen pine.
Pine was designated as the national tree of the DPRK in April Juche 104 (2015) in recognition of the people's cherished national sentiment for it, the relevant heritage, and its socioeconomic significance.
More From Uriminzokkiri (En)
City and county organizations of the Workers' Party of Korea are making an intensive study to deeply grasp the idea and spirit of
January 09, 2024
City and county organizations of the Workers' Party of Korea are making an intensive study to deeply grasp the idea and spirit of
The Korean people, who successfully passed the third year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic
January 09, 2024
The Korean people, who successfully passed the third year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic
The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued the following report on Sunday: According to the ratification of the
January 08, 2024
The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued the following report on Sunday: According to the ratification of the
The very important report and conclusion made by the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un at the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th
January 08, 2024
The very important report and conclusion made by the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un at the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th
Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, on Sunday issued the following
January 08, 2024
Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, on Sunday issued the following
All the people of the DPRK out in the new year advance are intent on the intensive study to fully arm themselves with the new idea
January 08, 2024
All the people of the DPRK out in the new year advance are intent on the intensive study to fully arm themselves with the new idea
There are many people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, who regard love of and devotion to others as their duty.
January 07, 2024
There are many people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, who regard love of and devotion to others as their duty.
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued the following report on Friday: On the
January 07, 2024
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued the following report on Friday: On the
Saussurea seoulensis syringin developed by the Kuryongsan Pharmaceutical Manufactory is winning growing favour among users as the
January 06, 2024
Saussurea seoulensis syringin developed by the Kuryongsan Pharmaceutical Manufactory is winning growing favour among users as the
Among those who took the floor at the Second National Conference of Exemplary Young People of Virtue held in May Juche 104 (2015)
January 06, 2024
Among those who took the floor at the Second National Conference of Exemplary Young People of Virtue held in May Juche 104 (2015)
Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, on Tuesday issued the following
January 05, 2024
Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, on Tuesday issued the following
Leading newspapers of the DPRK Thursday editorially call upon the officials and working people to successfully carry out the tasks
January 05, 2024
Leading newspapers of the DPRK Thursday editorially call upon the officials and working people to successfully carry out the tasks
The Yoon Suk Yeol group of puppets, who spent days and months of 2023 with dangerous military provocations to push the Korean
January 05, 2024
The Yoon Suk Yeol group of puppets, who spent days and months of 2023 with dangerous military provocations to push the Korean
Rodong Sinmun Wednesday says in an article that there are countries which make efforts to tide over the difficulties and bolster
January 04, 2024
Rodong Sinmun Wednesday says in an article that there are countries which make efforts to tide over the difficulties and bolster
Officials of the Central Committee of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League conducted political work at the construction site of
January 04, 2024
Officials of the Central Committee of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League conducted political work at the construction site of
All the people and service personnel of the Korean People’s Army greeted the New Year Juche 113 (2024) significantly. Visitors
January 03, 2024
All the people and service personnel of the Korean People’s Army greeted the New Year Juche 113 (2024) significantly. Visitors
Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- The grand art performance in celebration of the New Year 2024 is going on with splendor amid the
January 03, 2024
Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- The grand art performance in celebration of the New Year 2024 is going on with splendor amid the
A gala evening of youth and students took place at Kim Il Sung Square in the capital city of Pyongyang on December 31, 2023 on New
January 02, 2024
A gala evening of youth and students took place at Kim Il Sung Square in the capital city of Pyongyang on December 31, 2023 on New
A national flag-hoisting ceremony was solemnly held on January 1, Juche 113 (2024), at Kim Il Sung Square. At 00:00 sharp, a bell
January 02, 2024
A national flag-hoisting ceremony was solemnly held on January 1, Juche 113 (2024), at Kim Il Sung Square. At 00:00 sharp, a bell
The Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace in Mangyongdae District in the capital city of Pyongyang is a base for extracurricular
January 01, 2024
The Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace in Mangyongdae District in the capital city of Pyongyang is a base for extracurricular
More Articles
