The already controversial leader has made its way to the headlines yet again. Kim Jong-un in his pretentious grandeur was seen through the sacred inclines of Mt. Paektu, on an extravagant white stallion.

Mt. Paektu is among the highest most sacred of territories on the Korean peninsula, also known to be the birthplace of Kim Jong-un’s father. This reinforces the perception of Kim being a true leader for North Korea.
However, it is not the first time Mr Kim has climbed the heights of Paektu; although it has not been in a manner as sophisticated and striking, the climbs have been consistent. For a fact though, a major announcement precedes shortly after these ascendings. So, the world is impatiently waiting for Kim to drop yet another missile on us.

The Purpose behind This Visit

So far, the journey of Kim has been referred to as a reflective one; the statements released by KCNA are reminiscent of which.

“Sitting on the horseback atop Mt Paektu, [he] recollected with deep emotion the road of arduous struggle he covered for the great cause of building the most powerful country, with faith and will as firm as Mt Paektu.”

North Korea’s State Ideologies

The foundation of the North Korean constitution is based on three principles: Juche, Choseon, and Paektu. Drawing some light upon which suggests that Mr Kim was on a journey to do justice to those ideologies.

 Juche: ‘A Man Is the Master of His Destiny’

The state ideology of North Korea is based heavily upon the principles of Self-reliance. It is amongst the very first and official state ideologies procured by North Korea’s very first leader Kim II-sungs.

It is considered ‘an original, brilliant and revolutionary contribution to national and international thought,’ by the successive governments of North Korean ever since.  
Kim Jong-un’s independent stride through its most sacred peak is symbolic of this independence and suggests that the current leader is soon to master a revolution for the people of its country. Thus, this gallant astride of Mr Kim, independently across Mt. Paektu paints him under a self-reliant and strong light, following the Juche constitution.

Moreover, the statements released by KNCA in a report on Monday states, “His march on horseback in Mt Paektu is a great event of weighty importance in the history of the Korean revolution,” rightfully suggests that Mr Kim has taken the role of a leader, not lightly. It is thereby strengthening its perception as a ‘self-reliant’ leader.

Choseon: An independent estate
Joseon was a Korean dynasty that reigned over its people for over five centuries. Its establishments, however, were turned to dust after Japanese colonisations. The reference of the current North Korean establishment as Choseon suggests that they consider themselves the only true Korean civilisation in the present times, as well.
This perception of North Korean leaders was made clear when they isolated themselves from the influence of Russia and China to establish itself in a separate state. The statements released by KCNA further confirm this agenda of a North Korea being all on its own by releasing the statement,
his eyes were “were full of noble glitters of the illustrious commander who clearly indicates the road of advance of a powerful socialist country that is achieving prosperity with its own efforts and by dint of storm of Mt Paektu in the face of all headwinds.” Thereby suggesting that Kim Jong-un is the only true leader for this dynasty.

Paektu: Sacred Ground

The Paektu Mountain has been politically symbolic ever since the beginning of times for Korea. It is because of its towering over all the other peaks in North Korean, the Korean peninsula, and Northeast China that it has been granted this mighty status.
Moreover, the residents of Korea have been known to consider this active volcano and its caldera lake under a mystic light, presuming to be a den of spirituality. Thus, it is only just that Mr Kim strode through the mystifying inclines of this mighty peak amidst the cutting frost of winter – as it would further intensify the symbolism of him going to all lengths to procure what he deems best for the people of its nation.

Hence, despite all the criticism and hysteria created around these pictures, there is most certainly a purpose and a reason behind it which was seconded by the statements released by KCNA.

“Having witnessed the great moments of his thinking atop Mt Paektu, all the officials accompanying him were convinced with overflowing emotion and joy that there will be a great operation to strike the world with wonder again and make a step forward in the Korean revolution.”