December 25, 2025Dec 25, 2025
KCNA Naenara (En)

A Long Journey of Learning about Korea

Date: 16/03/2025 | Source: Naenara (En) | Read original version at source

Recorded in the annals of the revolutionary career of President Kim Il Sung (April 15, 1912-July 8, 1994) is the 1 000-ri journey he made in his teens.

When he was eight, he went to Northeast China following his father Kim Hyong Jik, an outstanding leader of Korea’s anti-Japanese national liberation movement, and entered a Chinese primary school. One day in early 1923 when he was about to graduate from the school, his father told him to go back to Korea and continue his study there.

On hearing his father, Kim Il Sung realized that a man born in Korea must have a good knowledge of his country and work for it.

He left Badaogou on March 16, 1923 for his native home at Mangyongdae with a map his father had drawn in his pocketbook. The trip is called the 1 000-ri journey for learning in history.

During the journey he had to pass through primeval forests and cross deep ravines in howling wind and raging snowstorm, all alone. What broke his heart bitterly on this trek was not his own physical exhaustion but the miserable plight of his fellow countrymen suffering from ordeals and difficulties under the Japanese imperialists’ military occupation.

What he saw and heard everywhere was the deep sigh and rancour of the fellow countrymen over their distress: heartbreaking stories coming from the slash-and-burn farmers’ dugouts scattered in deep mountains and innocent people taken away with their wrists bound in rope.

It was around sunset on March 29, 1923 when he arrived at his destination. Back home, he studied at Changdok School where he experienced more keenly the miserable fate of a ruined nation and hardened his resolve to win back the country occupied by the Japanese imperialists.

Meanwhile, he came to have a better understanding of his fellow countrymen and found the truth that he could surely win back the lost country if he organized and mobilized them well. And he became clearly aware that the Japanese imperialists were the Korean people’s sworn enemy who inflicted unbearable agony and suffering upon them.

In his reminiscences With the Century he wrote that the journey was, for him, a journey of learning about his homeland and his fellow countrymen.

The journey helped him cultivate the ardent love of and boundless devotion to his country and people, the spirit of independence by which he solved all problems by believing in the people and enlisting their strength, as well as iron will and noble popular traits. His life-long traits were developed during the journey.

As he learned about his homeland and his fellow countrymen during the journey, he created the great Juche idea and led the arduous anti-Japanese revolutionary war and the Fatherland Liberation War to victory. And he established a socialist country, independent in politics, self-supporting in the economy and self-reliant in national defence and worked devotedly for its prosperity.

Although a century has passed since he set out on the journey, the Korean people strive hard to hasten the comprehensive development of socialism, true to the patriotic intention associated with his long journey.

Kim Hyok

More From Naenara (En)

Regional-industry Factories Inaugurated in Kilju County of DPRK

Regional-industry Factories Inaugurated in Kilju County of DPRK

The residents in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK, greeted an auspicious day to be specially recorded in the

December 25, 2025

The residents in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK, greeted an auspicious day to be specially recorded in the

Twin Amateur Craftsmen

Twin Amateur Craftsmen

Son Jong Hyok and Son Il Hyok are amateur craftsmen. The twins are workers living in Chollima District of Nampho Municipality.

December 25, 2025

Son Jong Hyok and Son Il Hyok are amateur craftsmen. The twins are workers living in Chollima District of Nampho Municipality.

Paduk Widely Encouraged

Paduk Widely Encouraged

Paduk (go) is widely encouraged and promoted in the DPRK. The Korean Paduk Association takes charge of the work to promote paduk

December 25, 2025

Paduk (go) is widely encouraged and promoted in the DPRK. The Korean Paduk Association takes charge of the work to promote paduk

From Airbase to Greenhouse Farm

From Airbase to Greenhouse Farm

One day in August 2018, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited an airbase in the Jungphyong area in the northeastern part of

December 25, 2025

One day in August 2018, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited an airbase in the Jungphyong area in the northeastern part of

Promising IT Talents

Promising IT Talents

Some time ago all the students of a class of Pyongyang University of Computer Technology won the University Student Scientific

December 25, 2025

Some time ago all the students of a class of Pyongyang University of Computer Technology won the University Student Scientific

Bald Cypress of Haeju

Bald Cypress of Haeju

The bald cypress in Haeju City, South Hwanghae Province, is known to be planted in the early 1930s. It grows about 10-80

December 25, 2025

The bald cypress in Haeju City, South Hwanghae Province, is known to be planted in the early 1930s. It grows about 10-80

Fish Farming in Paddy Fields Encouraged

Fish Farming in Paddy Fields Encouraged

Many rural communities in the DPRK are pushing ahead with the preparations for raising fish in paddy fields on a large scale next

December 24, 2025

Many rural communities in the DPRK are pushing ahead with the preparations for raising fish in paddy fields on a large scale next

A Glass Ball Production Line Established

A Glass Ball Production Line Established

The Taean Friendship Glass Factory has newly established a light-reflective glass ball production line. This kind of glass ball is

December 24, 2025

The Taean Friendship Glass Factory has newly established a light-reflective glass ball production line. This kind of glass ball is

A New-type Motor Developed

A New-type Motor Developed

A permanent magnet synchronous motor for elevator has recently been developed by researchers at Kim Chaek University of

December 24, 2025

A permanent magnet synchronous motor for elevator has recently been developed by researchers at Kim Chaek University of

Way to Be Surely Taken

Way to Be Surely Taken

The inauguration ceremony of the Kusong City Hospital in North Phyongan Province was held on December 13. The hospital is an

December 24, 2025

The inauguration ceremony of the Kusong City Hospital in North Phyongan Province was held on December 13. The hospital is an

New Houses Built in South Hamgyong Province of DPRK

New Houses Built in South Hamgyong Province of DPRK

New houses have appeared at the Wonjon Livestock Farm under the South Hamgyong Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the Sangok

December 24, 2025

New houses have appeared at the Wonjon Livestock Farm under the South Hamgyong Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the Sangok

Restaurant Earns Fame for Makkolli

Restaurant Earns Fame for Makkolli

A few months ago the Exhibition of Intangible Cultural Heritage Items-2025 was held at the foot of Moran Hill in Pyongyang, the

December 24, 2025

A few months ago the Exhibition of Intangible Cultural Heritage Items-2025 was held at the foot of Moran Hill in Pyongyang, the

New Houses Built at Farms in South Hwanghae Province of DPRK

New Houses Built at Farms in South Hwanghae Province of DPRK

The vast fields in South Hwanghae Province of the DPRK are taking on new appearances of Korean-style rural civilization. Modern

December 23, 2025

The vast fields in South Hwanghae Province of the DPRK are taking on new appearances of Korean-style rural civilization. Modern

Regional-industry Factories Inaugurated in Koksan County of DPRK

Regional-industry Factories Inaugurated in Koksan County of DPRK

Regional-industry factories have been inaugurated with splendid ceremony in Koksan County, North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK,

December 22, 2025

Regional-industry factories have been inaugurated with splendid ceremony in Koksan County, North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK,

New Houses Built in Rural Areas of DPRK

New Houses Built in Rural Areas of DPRK

New houses have been built in Songhan-dong and Sonsang-dong of Sinuiju City, North Phyongan Province, and Sanbuk-ri of Suan

December 22, 2025

New houses have been built in Songhan-dong and Sonsang-dong of Sinuiju City, North Phyongan Province, and Sanbuk-ri of Suan

Regional-industry Factories Inaugurated in Sepho County of DPRK

Regional-industry Factories Inaugurated in Sepho County of DPRK

In Sepho County of Kangwon Province, too, modern regional-industry factories have been built as another asset of prosperity to

December 22, 2025

In Sepho County of Kangwon Province, too, modern regional-industry factories have been built as another asset of prosperity to

Regional-industry Factories Inaugurated in Paechon County of DPRK

Regional-industry Factories Inaugurated in Paechon County of DPRK

The great Workers’ Party of Korea is translating the centuries-old desire of all the people into reality by building entities of

December 22, 2025

The great Workers’ Party of Korea is translating the centuries-old desire of all the people into reality by building entities of

More Articles