On January 22, 1925, President Kim Il Sung (April 15, 1912-July 8, 1994) embarked on a 250-mile journey from his native home at Mangyongdae to northeast China’s Badaogou with a firm resolve to win back Korea’s independence from Japan.
At the time the Korean people were subjected to harsh colonial slavery under the Japanese military rule.
It was when he heard that his father was arrested by Japanese police while in his revolutionary activities in China that he made up his mind to start the journey. His father Kim Hyong Jik was an outstanding leader of the anti-Japanese national liberation movement. When Kim Il Sung left home, his grandparents felt so sorry for him because they gave him no more than a small bundle containing two pairs of straw sandals and several boiled sweet potatoes.
He made a bow to his grandparents and other relatives before stepping out of the gate of his dear home.
He travelled from Pyongyang to Kaechon by train and walked along for the rest of his tour across high and rocky hills and along snow-covered paths.
In fourteen days, he reached Phophyong in what is now Kim Hyong Jik County, Ryanggang Province (the then Huchang County, North Phyongan Province). At the side of the snowy Amnok River he looked back to the motherland with a broken heart.
Kim Il Sung wrote in his reminiscences With the Century :
“I looked back at the mountains and rivers 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.
“Then I sang the song again.
“As I sang this song, I wondered when I would be able to tread this land again, when I would return to this land where I grew up and where my forefathers’ graves lay. Young as I was, I could not repress my sorrow at this thought. Picturing in my mind the miserable reality of the motherland, I made a grim resolve not to return before Korea had become independent.”
Afterwards, he formed the Down-with-Imperialism Union (DIU) on October 17, 1926 and built the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army as a permanent armed force on April 25, 1932, inspiring the Korean people to turn out for the sacred war against Japan.
He led the anti-Japanese revolutionary war through thick and thin to achieve the historic cause of Korea’s liberation on August 15, 1945, without the backing of a state and support from a regular army.
The Korean people still commemorate his trek, calling it 250-mile journey for national liberation.
Kim Hyon Hui
More From Naenara (En)
The Grand People’s Study House makes preparations for running online in-service training courses for technical manpower of the
February 10, 2025
The Grand People’s Study House makes preparations for running online in-service training courses for technical manpower of the
One day in October 2018 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area under construction to
February 10, 2025
One day in October 2018 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area under construction to
The military provocations being committed in a frantic way in the ROK from the first month of the New Year serve as an occasion of
February 10, 2025
The military provocations being committed in a frantic way in the ROK from the first month of the New Year serve as an occasion of
Pursuant to the important tasks set forth by the Eleventh Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party
February 10, 2025
Pursuant to the important tasks set forth by the Eleventh Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party
A music and dance performance was given at the April 25 House of Culture on February 8, marking the 77th founding anniversary of
February 10, 2025
A music and dance performance was given at the April 25 House of Culture on February 8, marking the 77th founding anniversary of
Officials, service personnel, working people, youth and students of the DPRK paid floral tribute to the statues of President Kim
February 10, 2025
Officials, service personnel, working people, youth and students of the DPRK paid floral tribute to the statues of President Kim
A banquet was given on February 8, marking the 77th founding anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army (KPA). Present there
February 10, 2025
A banquet was given on February 8, marking the 77th founding anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army (KPA). Present there
Sports games of commanding officers of the Korean People's Army (KPA) took place on February 8. Among the spectators were No Kwang
February 10, 2025
Sports games of commanding officers of the Korean People's Army (KPA) took place on February 8. Among the spectators were No Kwang
The people of the DPRK are significantly celebrating the founding anniversary of the Juche-based revolutionary armed forces which
February 10, 2025
The people of the DPRK are significantly celebrating the founding anniversary of the Juche-based revolutionary armed forces which
All the people across the DPRK significantly celebrated the 77th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army (KPA). The
February 10, 2025
All the people across the DPRK significantly celebrated the 77th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army (KPA). The
Dancing parties of youth and students took place across the DPRK on February 8, the 77th founding anniversary of the Korean
February 10, 2025
Dancing parties of youth and students took place across the DPRK on February 8, the 77th founding anniversary of the Korean
Shortly ago, NATO and the European Union let loose nonsensical sophism ignoring the reality, making themselves a laughing stock.
February 09, 2025
Shortly ago, NATO and the European Union let loose nonsensical sophism ignoring the reality, making themselves a laughing stock.
Two staminate trees called Taesongsan Eucommia ulmoides grow in the Central Botanical Garden. Eucommia ulmoides is a deciduous
February 09, 2025
Two staminate trees called Taesongsan Eucommia ulmoides grow in the Central Botanical Garden. Eucommia ulmoides is a deciduous
The 13th National Cooking Competition took place at the Pyongyang Noodle House from February 4 to 7 on the occasion of the
February 09, 2025
The 13th National Cooking Competition took place at the Pyongyang Noodle House from February 4 to 7 on the occasion of the
Modern regional-industry factories have been successfully built in Unsan County, North Phyongan Province of the DPRK, under the
February 09, 2025
Modern regional-industry factories have been successfully built in Unsan County, North Phyongan Province of the DPRK, under the
On the occasion of the 77th founding anniversary of the heroic Korean People’s Army, all the service personnel and people of the
February 09, 2025
On the occasion of the 77th founding anniversary of the heroic Korean People’s Army, all the service personnel and people of the
A meeting to hear impressions of the reminiscences on virtues of the peerlessly great men was held by agricultural workers and
February 09, 2025
A meeting to hear impressions of the reminiscences on virtues of the peerlessly great men was held by agricultural workers and
Kim Chaek University of Technology has recently developed a graphene-reinforced hard alloy which is expected to be widely
February 09, 2025
Kim Chaek University of Technology has recently developed a graphene-reinforced hard alloy which is expected to be widely
One day in December 2016, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the newly-built Wonsan Army-People Power Station. Standing on
February 09, 2025
One day in December 2016, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the newly-built Wonsan Army-People Power Station. Standing on
I am 98 years old. As I greet the founding anniversary of the Korean People’s Army every year, the unforgettable days of the Fathe
February 08, 2025
I am 98 years old. As I greet the founding anniversary of the Korean People’s Army every year, the unforgettable days of the Fathe
More Articles