Short answers, pulled from the story.
Paektu Mountain stands as the highest point at 2,744 meters above sea level within the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. This volcanic peak holds sacred significance for North Koreans and features prominently in folklore surrounding the Kim family.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea formed on the 10th of July 1948 while South Korean statehood declared May 1948. Soviet general Terentii Shtykov recommended Soviet Civil Administration establishment in October 1945 supporting Kim Il Sung as chairman before this date.
Approximately three million people died including higher proportional civilian death toll than World War II or Vietnam War. Charles K. Armstrong estimated twelve to fifteen percent of North Korean population perished reaching figures close to Soviet citizens killed in WWII.
Supreme leadership remained within Kim family known as Mount Paektu Bloodline since nation founding. Three generations descended from first leader Kim Il Sung developed cult tied to Juche philosophy passed to son Kim Jong Il then grandson Kim Jong Un.
Military expenditure reached fifteen point eight percent state budget 2010 according to North Korean media though U.S State Department averaged twenty three percent GDP from 2004 to 2014 highest level worldwide. About twenty percent men aged seventeen to fifty-four serve regular armed forces one in every twenty-five citizens enlisted soldier.