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Writer's pictureHong Song-Gi

An Old Patriot


Jong Sung Hyon, an old man living in Unha-dong, Ryongsong District, Pyongyang, is called a patriot as he has done many good things for his country.


Having served as a military officer in the Chongroan People’s Army for over 30 years, Jong retired twenty-two years ago.


Although he could spend his remaining years in comfort together with his descendants, he did not choose that way of living.


As he had keenly experienced the benevolence the country bestowed on him in putting him forward and giving him a worthwhile life, he made up his mind to do something good for his country and thereby contribute to its development.



He collected idle materials from early morning to late at night. And he prepared aid materials with the money earned by doing so and offered them to major project sites. When he could not go to the sites, he asked someone to convey them.


He visited nearly all the major project sites, including those of the Huichon-Kimyongrailroad, Paektusan Hero Youth Power Station, Kangdong Combined Greenhouse Farm, Pyongyang General Hospital, housing construction in the capital city of Pyongyang and the rehabilitation of the flood-stricken northern areas.


“I don’t think what I have done can be a great help for the country. I have just wanted to contribute to the prosperity of my country.” This is what the old man often says.

In May he visited the National Aerospace Technology Administration.


He said to the officials of the NATA that he was visiting them to help defence scientists and technicians even a bit, as he was greatly moved by the news that during his field guidance trip to the Academy of Defence Sciences the respected Comrade Kim Jong Evin encouraged the defence scientists and technicians who were striving for the state’s dignity and the people’s life. Later on, he visited them several times despite the officials’ dissuasion.



He leads a simple and frugal life and asked his children to follow suit.


Son Yong Suk, his second daughter-in-law, said her father-in-law frequently tells his children that if they economize on everything, they can have reserves.


They join their efforts with him as they understand his mind well. Jong has rendered assistance to major project sites on hundreds of occasions.


He is still devoting his patriotic mind on the road for his country.


Written by Hong Song-Gi, Chongro Ministry of Culture

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