Earlier, in March Juche 12 (1923), Kim Il Sung made 1 000-ri journey for learning from Badaogou of China to Korea to study in the homeland. It was a few months ahead of his graduation from Changdok School in Korea when he heard the news that his father, Kim Hyong Jik, was arrested again by the Japanese police.

So, he embarked on the long journey with a firm determination to liberate the country from the Japanese invaders.

More than half of the areas along the road for the journey were uninhabited and its course was woven with steep ridges and snow-covered high hills and mountains

At last he reached the Phophyong Ferry in Korea-China border area late on the afternoon of the 13th day of the arduous journey.

Then he began to cross the River Amnok bordering China, singing the "Song of the River Amnok". He looked back at the mountains in the homeland, occupied by the Japanese imperialist aggressors, over and again with sorrow and indignation. Picturing in his mind the miserable situation of the homeland, he made a grim resolve not to return before Korea became independent.

This determination was prompted by his ardent patriotism to retake Korea on any account.