Original Article by Hei Tianshi (黑天使)
Translator’s Note: This is an English translation of the original Chinese text entitled ‘白头山血统’, or ‘White Top Mountain Family Lineage’. This blog article explains the history and principles of the North Korean political concept of the White Top Mountain Family Lineage – a recent development in the DPRK that guarantees that complete political power remains firmly within the family of the descendants of the founder of the North Korean State – namely Kim Il Sung. In this clear and concise description, reference is made to declassified Soviet files that shed light on the historical conditions regarding the Korean resistance to the presence of the imperial Japanese forces, and the circumstances surrounding the founding of the DPRK. This information reveals certain and surprising facts that are often at variance with official positions and political announcements. ACW 19.11.14
The White Top Mountain Lineage (白头山血统 – Bai Tou Shan Xue Tong) takes its name from the birthplace of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il (金正日), and specifically refers to ‘Kim Jong Il and his male descendants’ (金正日的子孙 – Jin Zheng Ri De Zi Sun). In August, 2013, North Korea – for the first time in 39 years – modified the ‘Established Ten Great Principles of Party Ideology’ (树立党的唯一思想体系十大原则 – Shu Li Dang De Wei Yi Shuang Ti Xi Shi Da Yun Ze). In its revised form, the Ten Great Principles now read:
‘It shall be the will of the Korean Worker’s Party’s revolutionary Bloodline – the White Top Mountain Lineage will continue and last forever.’
In April, 2014, in order to strengthen the cohesion of the White Top Mountain Lineage of the Kim family, the younger sister of Kim Jong Un – Kim Ru Zhen (金汝贞) – was renamed ‘Kim Yo Jong (金与正. On April 8th, 2013, Kim Jong Un placed the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Armed Forces on full alert, and to undergo further military training in preparation for the defence of the White Top Mountain Lineage.
1- Interpretation of the Name
Kim Il Sung (金日成) was born in the Mangyongdae area of Pyongyang, and he is the ancestor of Kim Jong Il. As Kim Jong Il was born on White Top Mountain, this area serves as the designation for his lineage of descendants. In order to strengthen the Kim family lineage, Kim Jong Un’s sister – Kim Ru Zhen – loyally changed her name to Kim Yo Jong. Kim Il Sung founded the DPRK, and Kim Jong Il was his son, and Kim Jong Un is his grandson. The formal establishment of the White Top Mountain Lineage is an act of securing and strengthening the cohesion of the nation through the male line of the Kim family.
2 – Generational Lineage
In March, 2009, Kim Jong Il announced that General Kim Jong Gak (金正阁) [First Deputy Director of the Governing Board of the Political Bureau] – who was responsible for the ideology, training, and discipline of the DPRK – had been elected on behalf of the parliamentary candidates, to the Supreme People’s Assembly. At this time, he said:
“Let us use guns to defend the Mangyongdae and Baitoushan ancestral family lineage.”
On February 16th, 2009, on the occasion of Kim Jong Il’s birthday, the Korean Worker’s Party newspaper entitled ‘Labour Action News’ (劳动新闻 – Lao Dong Xin Wen) mentioned the ‘blood inheritance’ issue and said:
‘The family lineage of White Top Mountain will be the revolutionary force that will usher in a bright new future.’
Provisions of the Kim Family Hereditary Regime
On August 12, 2013, a North Korean media source revealed that the DPRK, after 39 years, amended the Ten Great Principles of Party Ideology (referred to as the Ten Principles), which serve as the Statutes and Constitution that govern the operation of the Korean Worker’s Labour Party. According to this report, North Korea revised the Ten Principles by altering the 1st paragraph of Article 10 which states that the sole leadership of the Korean Worker’s Party will be governed by the White Top Mountain Lineage and its future generations. The 2nd paragraph of Article 10 states:
‘It shall be the will of the Korean Worker’s Party’s revolutionary Bloodline – that the White Top Mountain Lineage will continue and last forever.’
The 2nd paragraph also states:
“The revolutionary path of Kim Il Sung must not be attacked or slandered in anyway, and all opposition must fought against and eradicated – even if there is just a shred of evidence – all must be resolutely confronted and destroyed.”
According to a national policy researcher with South Korea’s Institute of Analysis, the DPRK’s official recognition of the White Top Mountain Lineage in the Ten Principles is an attempt to instigate a ‘cult of personality’ around the Kim family. Paragraph 2 of Article 10 further states:
‘The kumsusan Sun Palace (which holds the bodies of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il) will forever be considered a scared place, and it shall be resolutely defended.”
And Article 3 states:
‘The portraits, film footage, and political ideology associated with the great personages of the White Top Mountain Lineage shall be revered and treated with the utmost respect at all times.’
And so on. Here, Kim Jong Un is referred to as a ‘White Top Mountain Lineage Great Person’. Whilst in Article 4 stipulates that the DPRK regime (and its leader) should refer to the ideological works of Kim Il Sung, and the general work of Kim Jong Il. This means that the Party should shape its policy and approach according to this doctrine, and that every decision should be measured to ascertain its correctness through this analysis.
3 – The Sacred Site of the White Top Mountain
The DPRK states that White Top Mountain is synonymous with the Long White Mountain (长白山 – Chang Bai Shan) situated in northeast China. The designation ‘Long White Mountain’ is premised upon the Manchurian name ‘Goromin Sanggiyan Alin’ and transliterated as ‘White Top Mountain’. The name is also derived from the Jurchen language. According to the DPRK, the Joseon Dynasty Records state:
‘The Long White Mountain – according to the barbarian people – was also known as White Top Mountain, the two names refer to the same place.’
Chinese records state that ‘White Top Mountain’ refers to the main peak of Long White Mountain, whilst South Korean and North Korean sources state that ‘White Top Mountain’ refers to the entire Long White Mountain range. The Long White Mountain is situated in northeast China’s Jilin province, on the border between China and North Korea. It is a dormant volcano that has a lake formed in a crater on its summit. This is called Lake Divine-sky Pool (湖天池 – Hu Tian Chi), which is surrounded by sixteen peaks. The Songhua (松花), the Yalu (鸭绿), and the Tumen (图们) Rivers all start here.
4 – Birthplace of Kim Jong Il
Official Information
According to the latest official information from the DPRK, Kim Jong Il’s birthdate is on the 16th of February, 1942. He was born at the ‘White Top Mountain Secret Training Camp’ (白头山密营 – Bai Tou Shan Mi Ying), in Samjiyon County, which is in the North Korean province of Ryanggang. According to official DPRK records:
During the early morning of February 16th, 1942, the sky was clear and a silvering layer of snow covered the dense forest and the rooves of the wooden houses that comprised the secret training camp. His arrival was declared by two beautiful rainbows that instantly appeared in the sky, together with a bright star. Suddenly a bird (like a Magpie) flew across the sky – a leader has arrived to save humanity – Kim Jong Il is born!’
Kim Jong Il was three and a half years old when his father – King Il Sung – led the military force which advancing on Pyongyang and freed the Korean peninsula from Japanese occupation. In the 1980’s, Kim Sung Il inspected the White Top Mountain region, and officially named the summit of the mountain ‘Jong Il Peak’ (正日峰 – Zheng Ri Feng). These three Korean characters were inscribed on six granite blocks (each block measuring two meters square), which were fitted together to make one large installation.
Not far from the camp can still be seen the slogans written over 50 years ago, by members of the North Korean People’s Revolutionary Army, during the anti-Japanese armed struggle. The volunteers were excited at the birth of Kim Jong Il, and the fact that his arrival was announced by a bright star in the sky. The slogans read:
‘The bright star over White Top Mountain announces the arrival of the Perfect General, and illuminates all for 3000 miles!’
‘White Top Mountain receives the arrival of the Perfect General, who manifests the correct law upon the earth.’
‘Due to the leadership of the Perfect General Kim Il Sung, our nation – which is the first nation amongst nations – was born.’
‘The North Korean people cried with joy, and praised the birth of Kim Jong Il!’
‘The successor to the Perfect General – Kim Il Sung – was born on White Top Mountain!’
‘How wonderful! A bright star announces the birth over White Top!’
White Top Mountain Secret Camp
The White Top Mountain Secret Camp Appears on a 2009 Banknote – the background is a view of White Top Mountain. This is the area known as the Three Deep Ponds (三池渊 – San Chi Yuan) is to the west of Lion Peak (狮子峰 – Shi Zi Feng), and Little White Mountain (小白山 – Xiao Bai Shan). This is where Kim Il Sung led the resistance against the Japanese invaders – and the building structures from that time are still existent. These buildings – which consist of a command centre and guardroom – were originally constructed during September, 1936, as the secret camp was being developed. Not far from here, and hidden amongst the pine trees, is a simple wooden house with two doors – it is here that Kim Jong Il was born. The peak behind the wooden hut is named ‘Jong Il Peak’, and it has an elevation of 1,797 meters. This peak stands firm and strong – and is symbolic of the example that North Korea sets as a distinct nation. Engraved on this cliff face – in large red characters – are the three words ‘Jong Il Peak’.
Related Questions
According to the North Korea’s official position, as well as opinion around the world, Kim Jong-Il’s birthday falls on February 16th, 1942. However, history records state that Kim Il Sung – from April 9, 1941 – was away with the guerrilla army, which had crossed into northeast China. According to this information, this would mean that Kim Jong Il’s mother was pregnant for over 300 days – which cannot be accurate. This is why the exact date of Kim Jong Il’s birth is still a matter of debate.
In addition, the actual birthplace of Kim Jong-Il remains a mystery. According to official records in North Korea, Kim Jong Il was born on the border between China and North Korea, on the ‘Long White Mountain’, at the ‘White Top Mountain Secret Camp’, because this is known as the place where Kim Il Sung led guerrilla forces from. However, there are contradictions related to these facts. For instance, in the first half of 1940, almost all of Kim Il Sung’s family – that is his parents and his wife – were living in the Soviet Union. As they travelled between the South Camp (situated in Vladivostok) and North Camp (situated in Khabarovsk) during this time period, it is likely that Kim Jong-Il’s birth place was not at the ‘White Top Mountain Secret Camp’.
According to the declassified documents of the former Soviet Union, Kim Jong-Il was born on February 16th, 1941, in Khabarovsk at the nearby Wei-ya-te-si-ke-ye (维亚特斯科耶) Barracks. At this time, his father – Kim Il Sung – was Commander of the Independent Soviet Far East Front Army 88th Infantry Brigade (also known as the Northeast Anti-Japanese Training Brigade). Kim Jong-Il (and his father) did not return to North Korea until 1945. Kim Jong Il’s Russian name was ‘Yuri Irsenovich Kim’ (Юрий Ирсенович Ким).
It appears that because North Korea’s legendary monarchal ancestor ‘Tan Jun’ (檀君) is believed to have been born in the Tianchi Lake area – on eve of Kim Jong Il’s 40th birthday (February 15, 1982), North Korean officials announced the ‘White Top Mountain Secret Camp’ version of his birth place. Even the toys that Kim Jong Il played with as a child were presented, from small to large, (including daggers and pistols), which were arranged at the legendary birth place for all to see. This was done to establish in the minds of people the unquestionable principle of the “Only successor’ (唯一后继者 – Wei Yi Hou Ji Zhe).
5 – Counter-Attack Drill
In Korea, the Supreme Leader – Kim Jong Un – in the eyes of most people, it is like the Sun in the sky, to whom everyone should look up to. Although the Kim family has an unparalleled status in North Korea, it cannot be ruled out that a scattered few may threaten this power with heretical beliefs and opinions.
In order to prevent this from happening, and guarantee the safety of the Supreme Leader, in April 2014, the North Korean authorities held the ‘Kim Jong-Un Counter-attack’ drill. It is understood that this operation was unprecedented in scale, and that almost everyone was involved including the North Korean security ministries, the Central Organ of the People’s Army, and even heads of departments. This North Korea operation may seem elaborate, but it is not without reason, since the former DPRK leaders (and heroes) Kim Jong-Il and Kim Il Sung, (as well as North Korea itself) have been subjected to numerous attacks in the past.
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2014.
Original Chinese Language Article:
http://baike.sogou.com/v61398583.htm;jsessionid=ee67bdf08fde20282f5e66aaeaca9479.n2
白头山血统
“白头山血统”源于已故朝鲜前领导人金正日的出生地位于白头山，寓意指的是“金正日的子孙”。 2013年8月，朝鲜时隔39年首次修改了《树立党的唯一思想体系十大原则》。修改后的《十大原则》规定：“应将劳动党和革命的血脉——白头山血统永远延续下去”。2014年4月，为了集中金氏家族的“白头山血统”的凝聚，金正恩妹妹由金汝贞更名金与正。2014年4月8日消息，朝鲜劳师动众演练金正恩遇袭，力保白头山血统延续。
1) 名词释义
平壤万景台是金日成的出生地，因此万景台血统指的是“金正日”，白头山据说是金正日的出生地，因此白头山血统指的是“金正日的子孙”。
为了集中金氏家族的白头山血统的凝聚，金正恩妹妹由金汝贞更名金与正。朝鲜主席金日成、金正日和第三代领导人金正恩作为金氏世袭一族，为了加强自己的统治，子孙万代，在姓名形式上增强凝聚。
2) 世袭血统
2009年3月，负责督查北韩军队思想纪律的总政治局第一副局长、大将金正阁将金正日推举为最高人民会议代议员候选人，并表示：“让我们用枪保卫万景台血统和白头山血统。”
劳动党机关报《劳动新闻》在2009年2月16日迎来金正日生日之际，在社论中提及“血统继承”问题称：“白头山血统继承后，主体革命将迎来光明的前途。”
2013年8月12日，一名对朝消息人士日前透露，朝鲜时隔39年首次修改了《树立党的唯一思想体系十大原则》(简称《十大原则》)，据韩国媒体介绍，《十大原则》在朝鲜的地位高于宪法和劳动党章程。据报道，朝鲜修改后的《十大原则》第10条第1款规定，应深化树立劳动党的唯一领导体制的事业，并世代延续。第2款还规定，“应将劳动党和革命的血脉——白头山血统永远延续下去” 。第2款规定“对诋毁或抹杀金日成同志革命传统的反党行为，哪怕只有一丝一毫的迹象，也要进行坚决的反对和斗争。”据一家韩国国策研究所的研究员分析，朝鲜新修订的《十大原则》强调了白头山血统，并明文加强了对朝鲜三代领导人的偶像化。
规定金氏家族世袭政权
这次修改的《十大原则》还包括，“让锦绣山太阳宫(安放金日成和金正日遗体的地方)成为永远的圣地，并誓死保卫(第2条)”和“郑重地对待带有白头山伟人的肖像、雕像和影像的作品和标语板等，并坚决地保护(第3条)”等内容。把金正恩一家称为“白头山伟人”。第4条还规定，要把领袖(金日成)的训示、将军(金正日)的语录、党(金正恩政权)的路线和政策视为事业和生活的方针与信条，将其作为衡量一切的尺度，随时随地按照那些要求思考和行动。
3) 圣地白头山
朝鲜所说的白头山，即为中国东北的长白山。
“长白山”之名源自满语“Goromin Sanggiyan Alin”意译，“白头山”之名也源自女真人。据朝鲜《李朝肃宗实录》载：“长白山，胡人或称白头山，以长白故也” 。
今中国将“白头山”惯指为长白山主峰，而韩、朝将“白头山”指代为整个长白山脉。
长白山主峰在吉林省东南中国、朝鲜两国边界上，休眠火山，山顶有火山口湖天池，湖周环列十六座高峰。是松花江、鸭绿江和图们江的源地。
4) 金正日诞生地
官方资料
根据朝鲜官方的宣传资料，金正日于1942年2月16日诞生在朝鲜两江道三池渊郡的“白头山密营”。
据官方资料记载：“2月16日的凌晨，天空晴朗。抗日游击队密营地的木房以及茂密的森林全都覆盖着银白色的雪。霎时出现的两道绚丽斑斓的彩虹和一颗圣星（光明星）宣告着他的到来，忽又飞来一只喜鹊——一个将来要拯救全人类的领袖——金正日诞生了！”
在金正日三岁半时，父亲金日成身先士卒的击退日本侵略者，挺进平壤，解放了日本占领的朝鲜半岛。 上个世纪80年代，金日成视察白头山地区，把其中一座山峰命名为“正日峰”，“正日峰”三个朝文大字，由六块两米见方的花岗石板吊装拼缀而成。
密营附近至今保存着在抗日武装斗争时期朝鲜人民革命军队员写下的革命标语，虽然历时半个世纪，字迹至今依然清晰。他们怀着无比激动的心情称颂金正日同志的诞生是光明星的诞生、民族的大幸运。标语主要有“白头山将军星照亮三千里”、“白头山降临用缩地法的将军”、“我们民族是降生金日成将军的世界第一民族”、“朝鲜哟，民族哟，呼唤吧，赞扬吧，降生的金正日将军”、“金日成将军的接班人在白头山诞生”、“啊！朝鲜哟，白头光明星诞生！”等。
白头山密营
朝鲜2009年版纸钞的正面绘制的是正日峰和白头山密营，背面绘制的是远眺白头山。（右图）
在三池渊西侧的狮子峰和小白山之间，便是当年金日成同日本侵略者进行救国斗争的根据地，被称为白头山密营。在白头山密营区内，至今仍保留着白头山密营旧居，1936年9月用木质建造的抗日武装斗争司令部和警卫员室等房屋。离司令部不远处，在松林之间隐藏着一个两门洞开的简朴木房，这就是白头山密营旧居。据说金正日就诞生于此。
木房后边的那座山峰被命名为正日峰，正日峰海拔1797米，巍然屹立在树林之中，是朝鲜气概的象征。山峰悬崖上刻有“正日峰”三个醒目的红色大字。
相关质疑
虽然根据目前北朝鲜的官方说法，以及国际间通用的资料，金正日的生日是1942年2月16日。然而，有史学专家分析说，金日成在1941年4月9日就跟着游击队，越界进入中国东北地区作战，照这样算来金正日的母亲怀胎超过300天，有悖常理。所以，金正日到底是什么时候出生的，至今仍是让人争论的问题之一 。
另外，金正日的出生地也是一个谜团。依照北朝鲜现行的官方说法，金正日出生于中国和朝鲜边界、长白山上的“白头山密营”，也就是当年金日成领导抗日游击队的基地所在。但从时间地点就可看出与事实的矛盾，因为1940年的上半年，金正日的双亲金日成夫妇几乎都在苏联境内居住，来往于南野营(海参威)和北野营(伯力)之间，金正日出生的地点不可能是所谓的“白头山密营”。
根据前苏联解密文件的记录，金正日是1941年2月16日在哈巴罗夫斯克（伯力）附近的维亚特斯科耶军营出生的。当时他的父亲金日成任苏联远东方面军独立第88步兵旅（又称东北抗日联军教导旅）营长。金正日直到1945年才随父亲回到朝鲜。金正日幼年时的俄语名字是尤里·日成诺维奇·金（俄语：Юрий Ирсенович Ким，英语：Yuri Irsenovich Kim）。
虽然如此，因为朝鲜传说中的先人“檀君”就是降生于天池，所以人们猜测这就是金正日40岁生日前夕(1982年2月15日)，北朝鲜官方开始大肆宣扬“白头山密宫”版本的诞生地点的原因。甚至以金正日从小到大玩过的玩具、用过的短剑和手枪，布置成传说中的诞生地点供人瞻仰，以确立人民心目中“唯一后继者”的形象。
5) 反袭演练
在朝鲜，最高领袖金正恩在绝大多数老百姓心目中，那绝对好比天上的太阳，是只有仰视的存在。不过虽然金氏家族在朝鲜拥有不可比拟地位。不过这也不能排除，有少部分异端份子突然冒出来兴风作浪的可能。
为了防止此类事件的发生，保证最高领袖的生命安全，2014年4月，在朝鲜就兴师动众的举行了一场设想金正恩遇袭的演练。据了解，这场演练的规模空前巨大，几乎出动了朝鲜安全保卫部、人民军、中央机关甚至连部门首长均参加了这次演习。而朝鲜之所以这样煞费苦心，其实也并不是没有道理的。因为他们的前任领导人金正日，以及朝鲜开过功臣金日成都曾经受到过多次袭击。
THE SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 