The Paektusan Secret Camp welcomes its visitors every day, eager to tell stories of its enchanting forest, following the stories of its sacred forest.

A passenger plane "Koryo Airliner" just took off, all its seats occupied by those expected to participate in the events to be held in the area of Mt. Paektu to honor the Day of the Shining Star.

A pretty conductress (named Jo Un Ha) says she is glad to be with visitors to Mt. Paektu. On the way back home they would tell me quite a lot about the home place of leader Kim Jong Il.

Now, our airliner is leaving a huge cloud behind.

We look down. Mountain ranges appear one after another. One of the crewmen told us we could see a vast stretch of Paektu forest from a high of 7 000 meters. The forest made its majestic appearance.

History has left innumerable traces in this dense forest never treaded before by anyone.

The anti-Japanese armed struggle organized and led by President Kim Il Sung brought about a new radical turn in the long history of Paektu forest. A big shift was made here. The forest of sorrow being molested in the pains of a ruined nation changed into a forest of hope under the Shining Star.

Today a fairyland appeared here, bringing so many memories back to the minds of the people, memories of those sacred days of revolution.

Our plane has already touched the ground.

Aboard a bus we are heading for the Samjiyon County seat. The road is covered with thick snow on both sides, piled high up to man's waist, I guess. The forest with snow all over presents a most wonderful scene before us.

The temperature is 17 degrees below zero, but because of highly piled up snow, I see no one feel that much cold. Those used to be tormented by city traffic jams will feel much relieved as they walk along this quiet road running through a dense forest.

The sun shining through branches of trees is wonderful. Trees growing so tall in the forest, the sun also seems setting down here. Rays of the sun flash by between gigantic trees. Once reproduced in canvas, it sure would be a masterpiece of the world, exclaimed an artist of the Mansudae Art Studio.

In the depth of this charming forest rose a modern township animating with lively activities of its dwellers. Cozy dwellings boasting of their particular architectural styles are brought into harmony with the scene around the three lakes of Samji. Attractive resorts and restaurants and many other public amenities speak volumes of the rich contents added to the beauty of this holy place of revolution.

One of the most popular places here is the skiing ground. All the topping news can be heard here.

Now, the skiing ground is bustling with skiers who would compete at the contest to mark the Day of Shining Star.

According to the manager of the Samjiyon Sports Village, the skiing ground and skating rinks now record double the attendance rate, compared with last year.

The old battle sites of anti-Japanese armed struggle in this forest area have become more alive today with a new socialist life flowering in this fascinating forest.

Slowly the daytime passes by, giving its way to night, the fascinating night in the forest with dazzling fireworks that will decorate the night sky over this forest hailing the Day of the Shining Star.

By Song Mi Ran

Rodong Sinmun 2013-02-16