North Korea’s sacred Mount Paektu designated as UNESCO Global Geopark

Perched high in the secluded landscapes of the Korean Peninsula, beyond guarded military access points and unpaved roads, lies Mount Paektu, a volcano and profound crater lake embodying deep symbolism within one of the world’s most isolated nations. This active stratovolcano, marking the border between North Korea and China, stands as the loftiest peak on the peninsula and holds a central position in North Korea’s foundation narrative.

Mount Paektu: A Sacred Peak Gains UNESCO Recognition

The North Korean side of Mount Paektu has recently achieved UNESCO Global Geopark designation, making it North Korea’s inaugural natural landmark to join this prestigious list. In February, UNESCO’s executive board formally acknowledged the site’s “remarkable natural and cultural heritage,” highlighting its volcanic activity and distinctive geological attributes.

To truly appreciate its significance, one must experience Lake Chon firsthand — a caldera situated approximately 7,200 feet above sea level, born from a colossal eruption over a millennium ago — and feel the bracing wind. In June 2017, as one of the few Western journalists granted access, I journeyed to Paektu’s summit from the North Korean side. This expedition, authorized and carefully overseen by Pyongyang, provided an extraordinary glimpse into the regime’s elevation of this mountain to an almost divine status.

The Mythical Lineage of Mount Paektu

According to North Korean lore, Mount Paektu is revered as the birthplace of Dangun, the legendary progenitor of the first Korean kingdom. Kim Il Sung, North Korea’s founder and the grandfather of Kim Jong Un, allegedly utilized the mountain as a clandestine base during the fight against Japanese occupation in the 1940s. State media frequently invokes the elder Kim in connection with the mountain, employing honorifics such as the “Paektu legendary hero.”

North Korea asserts that Kim Jong Il, the deceased former leader and father of Kim Jong Un, was born near Paektu’s summit. Guides pointed out a rustic cabin where, according to the narrative, snow miraculously melted, sunlight pierced through, flowers blossomed, and a new star illuminated the sky to herald his birth. Despite the absence of historical corroboration, and scholarly opinions suggesting a birth in Russia, this narrative is presented unequivocally throughout North Korea. Paektu transcends being merely a mountain; it is a national shrine.

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The Kim dynasty has extensively employed the mountain to propagate the family’s mythology and veneration. Its peaks are prominently featured on the national emblem, and its name is applied to a wide array of entities, from rockets to power plants, and at times, to the nation itself.

North Korean society places a high value on racial purity, and state propaganda exalts the Kim family’s “Mount Paektu bloodline,” presented as a distinguished and valiant lineage linked to the ancient, mythical kings of the Korean peninsula. “This embodies the essence of Korea’s revolution,” a guide explained to me, amidst North Korean pilgrims standing silently, some tearful, convinced they were on consecrated ground.

Kim Jong Un has frequently visited this revered mountain, often preceding significant political shifts — such as the 2013 execution of his uncle and the 2016 nuclear test. In a notable moment of rapprochement in 2018, he escorted then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in to the summit. Moon, standing at the peak holding Kim’s hand alongside their spouses, described the visit as a dream realized. “I questioned if I would ever have the opportunity to come here, but my wish has been fulfilled,” Moon remarked. For Koreans on both sides of the divide, reaching the summit has long symbolized a significant milestone, yet access remains restricted for most South Koreans. In 2019, North Korean state media released images of Kim riding a white horse up the sacred mountain on at least two occasions, amidst escalating inter-Korean tensions.

Geological Importance of Mount Paektu

UNESCO’s executive board, in its endorsement, cited Paektu’s volcanic history, valleys sculpted by glacial erosion, and rugged plains as contributing to its global importance. It also highlighted the “millennial eruption” of Mount Paektu around 946 CE — cataloged as one of the most potent volcanic events in recorded history. Currently, over 200 geoparks exist across 49 countries globally. UNESCO Global Geoparks are acknowledged as “single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.”

Last year, the UNESCO board also designated the Chinese side of the mountain as a global geopark under its Chinese designation, Changbaishan. North Korea initially sought the UNESCO geopark recognition in 2019, preceding China, but an on-site evaluation in North Korea faced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With this designation, Pyongyang may now seek to promote Paektu as a geotourism destination — showcasing its natural marvels alongside Korean mythology. Reflecting on a past journey in 2017, the route to Paektu traversed through isolated farming communities where children scattered from our cameras — some likely unaccustomed to seeing foreigners. In Samjiyon, the nearest town, monuments dedicated to Kim Il Sung are prominent, and buildings bear imprints from conflicts with Japanese forces.

Life in the vicinity of Paektu is rustic and sparsely populated. Yet, the individuals encountered expressed quiet pride—in their heritage, their homeland, and the conviction that they inhabit a significant place. With UNESCO’s recognition, Mount Paektu now holds stature not only as a national emblem but also as a globally acknowledged site of geological importance. Whether this distinction fosters greater international engagement or remains another instrument for Pyongyang’s narrative remains to be seen.

For the moment, the mountain endures, its slopes veiled in mist and its narratives passed down through generations. And should you ever stand at its summit, gazing into Lake Chon and inhaling the crisp air, you might grasp why many, across both North and South Korea, believe it embodies the spirit of Korea.