Sightseeing Path to Kuryong Falls Associated with Great Love for People

Chairman Kim Jong Il said:

"Comrade Kim Il Sung was the great father, who provided endless happiness and gory to our people. He devoted all his life for the good of them. Nothing was in his mind than them. The dignified and happy life they are enjoying today was provided by him throughout his life."

Kuryong Falls, a pride of Mt. Kumgang, is located in Kuryongyon District, Outer Kumgang, Kosong County, Kangwon Province.

The waterfall is more than 10 km away to the southwest from the seat of Onjong-ri in Kosong County.

Kuryong Falls which falls from the hollow of the precipitous cliff of the Kuryong Rock stretching out of Kujong Peak, making a cloud of spray, presents a picture of a hanging roll of white silk reverberating the valley in rather magnificent and sprightful way.

The name of Kuryongyon under the Kuryong Falls is derived from the legend telling that nine dragons guarding Mt. Kumgang lived there in the past.

The Kuryong Falls is also associated with the warm affection of President Kim Il Sung who paved the way of devotion for his people all his life, believing in the people as in Heaven.

In October, 1948, President Kim Il Sung looked round Hwajinpho and Kuryongyon areas of Mt. Kumgang for two days, bearing in mind the far-reaching plan to turn Mt. Kumgang into a scenic spot full of happy laughter of the people.

One day, President Kim Il Sung, having looked round the area of Hwajinpho, headed for Kuryongyon area the next day, not caring about his efforts.

President Kim Il Sung, not minding the inconvenience of the narrow and rugged path from Singye Temple to Kuryongyon, passed the areas of Okryu Valley and Sangphaldam and reached the ridge commanding Kuryong Falls.

President Kim Il Sung, who had been looking at the magnificent waterfalls causing thick spray falling from a height of tens of meters and maple trees with roots on the cliff, moved downwards to the waterfall.

The accompanying official said it was dangerous for him to go down, but he willingly did so to the bottom of the waterfall where the spray was scattered.

Looking around for a while, President Kim Il Sung said that it would be necessary to build stone stairs and smooth the floor, worrying about the inconvenience of the working people visiting the place.

President Kim Il Sung again climbed up to the ridge which commands the panoramic view of Kuryong Falls and said that the pavilion should be built in that place so that the visitors could have rest and have souvenir pictures taken with Kuryong Falls for a background.

And he taught about the form of the pavilion to be newly built in detail.

That day, on the way back from Kuryongyon area, President Kim Il Sung pointed out the rugged paths individually and instructed on transforming them in to sightseeing roads as well. On his return to the accommodation, he set forth the task of transforming Mt. Kumgang into a cultural resort by doing things accurately so that the working people could enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mt. Kumgang to their heart's content.

Feeling as if something weighed upon his mind, he repeatedly stressed the need to reconfigure the sightseeing facilities as they were decayed or damaged to be unsafe.

Photo. Kuryong Falls

Having taught the orientation and ways for transforming Mt. Kumgang into a wonderful recreation center for the people, he saw to it that cement, steel and many other construction materials be sent to the site.

The noble love of President Kim Il Sung, who always spared nothing for the sake of people's happiness, putting their convenience before anything else, was translated into wonderful scenic spots and sightseeing roads in Kuryongyon area of Mt. Kumgang, reverberating with people's laughter and happiness.

The traces of devotion left by President Kim Il Sung in Kuryongyon area on the historic day were so common and ordinary that could be easily identified on every spot visited by him for the sake of the people during his lifetime.

Indeed, President Kim Il Sung who devoted his all to the people, regarding it as his lifelong motto to believe in the people as in Heaven was the great man whose life was not for himself but for the people.