High atop the Korean Peninsula lies Mount Paektu, an active volcano and crater lake rich in symbolism. Straddling the border between North Korea and China, it is the peninsula&rsquos tallest peak and central to North Korea&rsquos founding myth. In early 2025, UNESCO designated the North Korean side of Mount Paektu as a Global Geopark-the country&rsquos first natural site to receive such recognition &mdash citing its remarkable geological and cultural significance, including ancient volcanic eruptions and glacial landforms.

Mount Paektu plays a vital role in North Korea&rsquos state narrative. It&rsquos said to be the birthplace of Dangun, Korea&rsquos mythical founder, and linked to Kim Il Sung&rsquos resistance against Japanese occupation. North Korea also claims Kim Jong Il was born near the summit, though scholars dispute this. Regardless, the mountain has become a national altar and a symbol of the "Paektu bloodline" glorified by the Kim family. The mountain has appeared in official propaganda, on national emblems, and even in symbolic visits &mdash such as when Kim Jong Un took South Korean President Moon Jae-in to the summit in 2018.North Korean leader Kim Jong Un rides a horse during snowfall in Mount Paektu in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on October 16, 2019. KCNA/Reuters

UNESCO&rsquos designation also highlights the geological importance of the massive 946 CE eruption, one of history&rsquos largest. Although access to the North Korean side is extremely limited, the country may now attempt to promote Mount Paektu as a geotourism site. For both North and South Koreans, the mountain represents more than nature &mdash it embodies identity, history, and pride passed down through generations. Whether it opens doors or remains a symbol of control, Mount Paektu continues to loom large in Korean consciousness.