Paektu Training
Paektu Training refers to the emphasis on the "Spirit of the Paektu Revolution" after Kim Jong-un climbed Mount Paektu in December following his ascent in October 2019. The term was introduced in an article titled "Paektu Training" published in the Rodong Sinmun on December 11, 2019, symbolizing the relearning of Kim Il-sung's Anti-Japanese Revolutionary spirit.
Following the 2nd North Korea-USA Summit in Hanoi in 2019, where no agreement was reached, the attempts to enhance the external environment and revive the economy through negotiations between North Korea and the USA came to an end, resulting in a notable blow to Kim Jong-un's leadership. In response, North Korea aimed to restore Kim Jong-un's diminished leadership and placed emphasis on carrying forward the revolutionary tradition of the Paektu Revolution to underscore the significance of the revolutionary spirit.
On December 4, 2019, Kim Jong-un inspected the Paektusan Revolutionary Battle Sites and ascended Mount Paektu. This was his second visit to Mount Paektu, the first being on October 16, 2019. Accompanied by his wife Ri Sol-ju and close aides, he toured various revolutionary battle sites within the Samjiyon City area, including Chungbong camp, Geonchang camp, Lee-myeong-su district, Paektusan Revolutionary Battle Sites, Mudubong Battle Sites, Ganbaeksan Battle Sites, and Daegakbong Battle Sites. He also visited Dapsa camp, Mupo camp, and Daehongdan revolutionary battle sites. With transportation issues resolved and increased accommodation capacity in places like inns, he emphasized the organization of winter visits to revolutionary battle sites, highlighting the importance of such visits during the winter season.
After emphasizing the significance of the Mt. Paektu visit, Kim Jong-un, writings highlighting the "revolutionary spirit of Mt. Paektu" began to appear. On December 11, 2019, the Rodong Sinmun published an article titled "Paektu Training," written by Seong Cheol-jin, which conveyed the news of nationwide party members' visits to Mt. Paektu. In the article, it stated, "The revolutionary Mt. Paektu is awakening," and "Go for 'Paektu Training.' This is the voice of the people of this land today." It emphasized, "The highest spirit that one can possess as a human and as a revolutionary is encapsulated within 'Paektu Training.' To become stronger, like a phoenix rising higher even in adversity, one must receive 'Paektu Training' and learn the revolutionary spirit of Mt. Paektu." Subsequently, the term "Paektu Training" was used to refer to learning the revolutionary spirit through visits to the revolutionary sites at Mt. Paektu, and these visits continued among party members, social organizations, and workers at various levels.
In 2021, North Korea, led by Kim Jong-un, prioritizes self-reliance and the Chollima movement's spirit, emphasizing the unity of its people instead of globalizing and the slogan of "Manrima." The notion of "Paektu Training" underscores the regime's sense of urgency and highlights the crucial reliance on Kim Jong-un's legitimacy derived from the Paektu bloodline. It symbolizes the imperative for all individuals to undergo this training, reflecting the prevailing crisis within the North Korean regime.
Related Keywords: Tradition of the Paektu Revolution, Paektu Bloodline, Paektusan Revolutionary Battle Sites, Juche Idea, Military-First Politics, Anti-Japanese Partisan Spirit