In Pictures: Kim Jong-un's Majestic Horseback Ride Through Sacred Mountain

Jessica Dunne

10 daily News Reporter

2019-10-16T09:47:03+00:00

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has taken a ride through a sacred mountain, fueling rumours of a big announcement from the secretive state.

The images of Kim's ride across Mount Paektu were released by state-news service Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday, but it is not known when they were taken.

Kim Jong-un went for a ride on Mount Paetku. Image: AP

"His march on horseback in Mount Paektu is a great event of weighty importance in the history of the Korean revolution," said KCNA.

"Sitting on the horseback atop Mount Paektu, [he] recollected with deep emotion the road of arduous struggle he covered for the great cause of building the most powerful country, with faith and will as firm as Mt Paektu."

The photos were released by state news service KCNA. Image: AP

The majestic photos show Kim riding through the snowy landscapes of Mount Paektu, located on the Chinese-North Korean border.

It has been a sacred place for Koreans for thousands of years, according to Korean mythology it is the birthplace of Dangun, the founder of the first Korean kingdom Gojoseon.

Mount Paektu is claimed to be the spiritual home of the Kim Dynasty. Image: AP

It is now called the spiritual home of the Kim Dynasty, and is claimed to be birthplace of Kim Il-sung, who established the modern-day North Korean in 1948.

It is not the first time Kim has visited the mountains, but his trips reportedly coincide with major announcements from the country.

Trips like this reportedly coincide with major announcements from the state. Image: AP

After a visit in 2013, Kim announced the execution of his uncle, Jang Song-thaek, and in 2018 it coincided with North Korea entering diplomatic talks with South Korea and the U.S..

Mount Paetku has been a sacred place for Koreans for centuries. Image: AP

Kim is not the only leader who enjoys a relaxing horseback ride, Russian president Vladimir Putin is well-known for going on treks.

Vladimir Putin is seen riding a horse while traveling in the mountains of the Siberian Tyva region in 2009. Image: AP

Putin has been snapped many times riding shirtless while horse riding, and last week a series of photos were released to celebrate his 67th birthday.

A fan of the outdoors, and the public were treated to a series of photographs capturing Putin's wilderness adventures, which included trekking, horse riding and fishing.