Myohyang (1 909 metres above sea level), located in the northwestern part of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is one of the celebrated mountains in the country.
In May 1981 Chairman Kim Jong Il , determined to open up new routes for hiking the mountain, climbed it, leading an expeditionary party made up of senior officials from the central organs.
An official, who had been guiding the party, told Kim Jong Il that the path was steep.
But Kim Jong Il led the party, saying that mountain hiking was more rewarding if it was a challenge.
When the party reached the Murung Falls, it suddenly got dark and threatened rain.
Officials urged him to turn back, since he had already identified the tourist routes.
However, he picked up the pace, insisting that, though it was cloudy, they should still get to the top.
After admiring the view of the Eight Pools and crossing a rickety suspension bridge, he arrived at a stream beside the Yuson Falls.
Then, it began to rain.
A rock blocked the path ahead, which was so narrow and slippery with rain that they had to crawl under the rock. Moreover, on the far side there was another rock which was so cracked that it seemed it would fall on them any moment.
Officials blocked his way, insisting that he should turn back.
Smiling, Kim Jong Il said: Why are you making such a fuss about the weather? Since we are on a mountain, we should be prepared to get soaked by the rain. Crawling under a rock is something everyone should try when hiking a mountain. I understand that you are concerned about my safety. But we should go on. We aren’t here for recreation. By climbing the mountain in this foul weather, we can really get to know the tourist routes.
When the party got to the Pison Falls, it stopped raining and a beautiful rainbow could be seen against the falls.
The officials shouted for joy.
That day, after listening to the officials’ impression of mountain hiking, Kim Jong Il gave detailed instructions on laying out the tourist routes so that they were safe and more convenient as poor safety measures on such steep routes might give rise to accidents.
More From Naenara (En)
Vladimir Topeha, charge d’affaires ad interim of the Russian embassy in the DPRK, hosted a reception at the Taedonggang
February 12, 2026
Vladimir Topeha, charge d’affaires ad interim of the Russian embassy in the DPRK, hosted a reception at the Taedonggang
One day in August 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the construction site of the Pothong riverside terraced houses
February 12, 2026
One day in August 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the construction site of the Pothong riverside terraced houses
Soldier-builders of the Korean People’s Army completed the first damming project at the second district of Taedongman Tideland
February 12, 2026
Soldier-builders of the Korean People’s Army completed the first damming project at the second district of Taedongman Tideland
A week-long film show opened in the DPRK to celebrate February 16, the birthday of Chairman Kim Jong Il . Documentary films
February 12, 2026
A week-long film show opened in the DPRK to celebrate February 16, the birthday of Chairman Kim Jong Il . Documentary films
The Jonchon fir grows at the foot of a mountain 640 metres above sea level in Waun-ri, Jonchon County, Jagang Province.This tree w
February 12, 2026
The Jonchon fir grows at the foot of a mountain 640 metres above sea level in Waun-ri, Jonchon County, Jagang Province.This tree w
Scientists at the green architecture institute of the State Academy of Sciences have successfully worked on a project for
February 12, 2026
Scientists at the green architecture institute of the State Academy of Sciences have successfully worked on a project for
Grand construction began in Hwaphyong, Phyonggang, Riwon, Myonggan and Samsu counties of the DPRK to build regional-industry
February 11, 2026
Grand construction began in Hwaphyong, Phyonggang, Riwon, Myonggan and Samsu counties of the DPRK to build regional-industry
The 11th National Pencil Drawing Festival opened in the DPRK to celebrate the 84th birth anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il .
February 11, 2026
The 11th National Pencil Drawing Festival opened in the DPRK to celebrate the 84th birth anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il .
The Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport Sports Club has a general aquatic sports training hall and hostel for athletes on the
February 11, 2026
The Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport Sports Club has a general aquatic sports training hall and hostel for athletes on the
The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in January 2021 set forth a line on building up the national defence
February 11, 2026
The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in January 2021 set forth a line on building up the national defence
The architectural materials institute under the State Academy of Sciences has recently developed a new paint for preventing metals
February 11, 2026
The architectural materials institute under the State Academy of Sciences has recently developed a new paint for preventing metals
The Song and Dance Ensemble of the Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK gave a music and dance performance at the Ponghwa Art
February 10, 2026
The Song and Dance Ensemble of the Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK gave a music and dance performance at the Ponghwa Art
Greeting Army Founding Day, a proud holiday of socialist Korea, all the service personnel and people pay the highest tribute to
February 10, 2026
Greeting Army Founding Day, a proud holiday of socialist Korea, all the service personnel and people pay the highest tribute to
Officials, service personnel, working people, youth and students in the DPRK visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and
February 10, 2026
Officials, service personnel, working people, youth and students in the DPRK visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and
Regional construction for this year has been launched across the DPRK in a three-dimensional way and on a full scale,
February 10, 2026
Regional construction for this year has been launched across the DPRK in a three-dimensional way and on a full scale,
Dance parties of youth and students were held in the DPRK on February 8, the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Korean
February 10, 2026
Dance parties of youth and students were held in the DPRK on February 8, the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Korean
A dance party of women’s union officials and members was held at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang on February 8, the
February 10, 2026
A dance party of women’s union officials and members was held at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang on February 8, the
This year’s February 8 marks the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army, the revolutionary regular armed
February 10, 2026
This year’s February 8 marks the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army, the revolutionary regular armed
All the people and service personnel of the DPRK significantly celebrated the 78th founding anniversary of the Korean People’s
February 10, 2026
All the people and service personnel of the DPRK significantly celebrated the 78th founding anniversary of the Korean People’s
People’s delegations, composed of Party and government officials and officials of ministries, national agencies and regional Party
February 10, 2026
People’s delegations, composed of Party and government officials and officials of ministries, national agencies and regional Party
More Articles