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The Diamond Mountains
North Korea Prayer Bulletin 2008 May-June Part 2
The Diamond Mountains
O for how many years have we not been able to go see
The beautiful mountain,
many tens of thousands of years old.
Has the day finally come to go see her?
Mt Geumgang is calling us.[1]
At the close of the Korean War, in 1953, Mt Geumgang (also spelled Kumgang) was closed to half of the Korean population and the world. This mountain retreat, so dear to the heart of the Korean people was only open to a few people. However, in 1998 the mountain was opened to tourists. For the first time, foreigners could ‘vacation’ in the DPRK experiencing the natural beauty and the local atmosphere.
Mt Geumgang is located in the DPRK very close to the border with the ROK (within 20 miles; Sokcho is in the South). ‘San’ means ‘mountain’ in Korean; so they are also called ‘Kumgang-san.’ Sokcho and Gangneung are in the South. Mt Geumgang is part of the Taebak mountain range that is on the east coast of the Korean peninsula. Mt Seorak, a popular destination for ROK citizens, is part of the same mountain range. Also referred to as the ‘Diamond Mountains,’ the mountain’s name is taken from the Korean word for diamond (Geumgangseok) because its more than 12,000 peaks are said to sparkle like diamonds. The mountainous area covers 40 kilometers east and west and 60 kilometres north and south. It is divided into three areas: Inner Kumgang, containing mountain valleys, pools and streams; Outer Kumgang, which boasts waterfalls and a more mountainous terrain; and Sea Kumgang, featuring picturesque scenery with rock columns of various shapes off to the East Sea.[4] Each season offers its own distinctive beauty to the ranges of Mt Guemgang. The spring cherry blossoms, summer pools, fall leaves and winter snow offers such different views of the mountain that it is given different names for the seasons: “It is called Mt Geumgangsan or the diamond mountain in spring, Mt Bongraesan or the verdant mountain in summer, Mt Pungaksan or the autumnal foliage mountain in autumn, and Mt Gaegolsan or the skeleton mountain in winter.”[5]
In 1998, the DPRK opened the area to foreign development and tourism. Since that time, more than 1.5 million people[6] of various nationalities have had the privilege to visit the site. The tourism of the area affords the opportunity to hike the mountains, see local gymnasts perform, taste the food, and even bathe in local hot springs. The tourist area is almost completely operated by citizens of the DPRK who serve as guides, cooks and hotel personnel. The area is considered a special ‘tourist region’ and for this reason US dollar is the preferred currency. The site has been host to most of the reunions that have taken place between separated family members. It has thus witnessed the bringing together of families that have not been together in more than 50 years. Plans to develop the tourist zones include snow skiing, a sleigh course, and golf courses.[7]
The picturesque mountains are not left untouched by the teaching of the DPRK government. According to Andrei Lankov, popular slogans are carved into the mountain peaks and are viewable miles away. “Long live the Great Leader,” “Hasten to Battle,” or “Long live the Korean Worker’s Party,” are just some of the slogans that can be read across Mt Geumgang peaks. Selectively chosen stonemasons first carve the characters deep into the granite and then paint the gorges with red paint. In celebration of Kim Il-Sung’s 60th birthday, the carving began in 1972 and was continued by Kim Jong-Il. In 1982, it was speculated that 61 slogans were carved across Mt Geumgang. The largest carving in the country at the time was the word ‘Juche’ measuring 27 meters high, 8 meters wide, and 1.2 meters deep (juche means self-reliance, an important concept in DPRK values). Lankov claims the carvings may be in line with an East Asian tradition of travellers carving poetry on small rocks to leave along their journeys. However, such carvings pale in comparison to the efforts the DPRK has gone to make their mark in history.[8]
In such a ‘closed’ corner of the world, it is easy to wonder, ‘How can God be there?’ However, God’s creation cannot help but speak of His goodness to us. The time and care that was taken into creating the Geumgang peaks cannot be explained any other way than by the act of our loving Father. Even more, His word says that even the mountains will be a sign of the Lord’s renown: “the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands...this will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed” (Isaiah 55:12-13). Praise the Lord that His renown is not dependent on government systems or men’s devices. He will be praised in and through His creation!
In closing, the song, “Mt Geumgang, the Mountain We Miss,” captures the emotions of the brothers and sisters separated from the land they love:
Mt Geumgang, the Mountain We Miss
누구의 주재(主宰)런가 맑� � 운 산
그리운 만 이천봉 말은 없어도
Who is presiding over such a pure, lovely mountain?
Its twelve thousand mountain peaks that we miss
Stand, only in silence.
이� �야 자� 만민 옷깃 여미며
그이름 다시 부를 우리 금강산
At last, tens of thousands of us free men
Will pay attention and call the name again,
Mt Geumgang, the mountain we miss.
수수만년 아름다운 산 못가본 지 그 몇해
오늘에야 찾을 � 왔나 금강산은 부른다.
O for how many years have we not been able to go see
The beautiful mountain, many tens of thousands of years old.
Has the day finally come to go see her?
Mt Geumgang is calling us.[9]
[2] www.wikipedia.com
[3] www.tour2korea.com
[4] www.tour2korea.com
[5] www.tour2korea.com
[6] www.nkeconwatch.com
[7] www.wikipedia.com
[8] Lankov, Andrei. North of the DMZ. McFarland and Company: USA. (2007), 15-16
[9] http://cafe.chosun.com/club.menu.bbs.read.screen?page_num=9&p_club_id=englishcode&p_menu_id=14&message_id=257575 , adapted
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