According to historical records and data available, several temples called Chonwang (heavenly King) temples were built in and around Mt. Paektu in the latter half of the 1700's.

They had been preserved until the early 1930's but all of them were destroyed by the Japanese imperialists' moves to obliterate the Korean nation. Only old records and ruined sites still remain.

Typical of them were Chonwang Temple in Mt. Hongdan in Taehongdan Township and Great Chonwang Temple in Samjiyon Township. They were also called Pukbonwongung and Nambonwongung.

"Outline Map of Mt. Paektu Area" contained in the book "Paektusandungchokgi" published in 1931 gives the position and photo of Chonwang Temple in Mt. Hongdan and a record of visit to the temple.

Hanging on walls of the temple were signboards reading "most famous mountain", "ancestral mountain", "worship of Mt. Paektu" and "temple in Mt. Hongdan". Inside the temple was a mortuary tablet with letters "divine position of Great Chonwang" behind a vessel for burning incense.

Historical records say that all the Korean people had lived, regarding Mt. Paektu as the spirit of the country and the nation and the symbol of eternal prosperity and believing that if they prayed to Mt. Paektu, a legendary great man would come to defend and glorify the destiny of the nation and ensure its eternal happiness.

The desire of the Korean nation could be accomplished by the peerlessly illustrious commanders of Mt. Paektu who liberated the country with the spirit of Mt. Paektu and demonstrated the dignity of the DPRK with the treasured sword of Songun.