It was once a barren, windswept land, locals say. Now thanks to employees of the Sunchon City Department Store, it has turned into a forest of fruit trees full of scents of flowers and fruits from spring to fall.
The department store is well-known for efficient commodity supply service for local people.
The store staffed mostly with women started reclaiming the stony land in 2011.
It set the goal of planting over 10 000 fruit trees in 10 hectares of land by 2017 which marked the 50th anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il’s visit to it and mapped out a phased plan.
“With the thought that the more we exert ourselves, the more people will benefit, we carried out the uphill tasks as we pulled out rocks and stumps, dug pits and carried manures on our backs,” said Kim Jong Ae, manageress of the store.
They managed to achieve the first-stage target in three years and harvested 700 kilograms of fruits from dwarf apple trees in the fall of 2013.
As they found pride of their labour in the happy faces of citizens and children who were supplied with the apples, they planted more fruit trees every year to finish the plan by 2017 as scheduled. So far, they have planted more than 15 000 fruit trees in 12 hectares.
They have introduced different methods to make an effective use of land under cultivation and manure and cultivate trees in a scientific way.
They plant such crops as bean and sweet potato between fruit trees and feed their by-products to domestic animals in winter. They also trim and prune trees and thin out flowers and fruits according to their characteristics. Especially, they prevent plant diseases with the lime-sulphur mixture they make.
They have also planted thousands of Changsong larch and other trees of good species and created a herb garden in two hectares of land. And they produce a large number of saplings and herb seedlings every year at their nursery covering an area of hundreds of square metres.
More From Pyongyang Times
Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, mentioned the root cause of conflict with the United States as he address
November 11, 2025
Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, mentioned the root cause of conflict with the United States as he address
Russia has recently launched nuclear submarine Khabarovsk. The launching ceremony of the submarine was held in Severodvinsk in the
November 11, 2025
Russia has recently launched nuclear submarine Khabarovsk. The launching ceremony of the submarine was held in Severodvinsk in the
Agricultural workers of the Kumsaem Farm in Kumgang County, Kangwon Province, became blessed owners of modern rural dwelling
November 11, 2025
Agricultural workers of the Kumsaem Farm in Kumgang County, Kangwon Province, became blessed owners of modern rural dwelling
Mt Kumgang is famous not only for its natural scenery but also for its rich historical and cultural heritage elements created and
November 11, 2025
Mt Kumgang is famous not only for its natural scenery but also for its rich historical and cultural heritage elements created and
The Inpho Farm in Songnim City, North Hwanghae Province, reaped bumper crops. The farm has increased the per-hectare grain output
November 11, 2025
The Inpho Farm in Songnim City, North Hwanghae Province, reaped bumper crops. The farm has increased the per-hectare grain output
The national exhibition of IT successes-2025 was held at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang from October 20 to 30. The exhibition,
November 11, 2025
The national exhibition of IT successes-2025 was held at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang from October 20 to 30. The exhibition,
Kim Il Sung University has recently developed and introduced Korean-style advanced analytical equipment into the large oxygen
November 11, 2025
Kim Il Sung University has recently developed and introduced Korean-style advanced analytical equipment into the large oxygen
Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the Security Council of Russia, censured the West for spending huge amounts of money on Ukraine
November 10, 2025
Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the Security Council of Russia, censured the West for spending huge amounts of money on Ukraine
A vice-defence minister of Russia emphasized the need to adhere to the single and indivisible security principle at the recent
November 10, 2025
A vice-defence minister of Russia emphasized the need to adhere to the single and indivisible security principle at the recent
DPRK players returned home after taking part in the 1st CISM Military Men's Weightlifting Challenge held in Iran. At the
November 10, 2025
DPRK players returned home after taking part in the 1st CISM Military Men's Weightlifting Challenge held in Iran. At the
A public tasting of apples and pears produced on fruit farms across the country this year took place in Pyongyang on October 29.
November 10, 2025
A public tasting of apples and pears produced on fruit farms across the country this year took place in Pyongyang on October 29.
The 19th National Machine Design Festival took place at the Okryu Exhibition House between October 24 and 30. On display at the
November 10, 2025
The 19th National Machine Design Festival took place at the Okryu Exhibition House between October 24 and 30. On display at the
The Kuryongphyong Dairy Cattle and Goat Farm in Hongui-dong, Sonbong District, Rason Municipality, has developed into a modern
November 10, 2025
The Kuryongphyong Dairy Cattle and Goat Farm in Hongui-dong, Sonbong District, Rason Municipality, has developed into a modern
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced Japan’s interference in China’s internal affairs at a news conference on No
November 09, 2025
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced Japan’s interference in China’s internal affairs at a news conference on No
The 2025 National Open Table-Tennis Tournament and Open Tennis Tournament took place at the Table-Tennis Gymnasium and the
November 09, 2025
The 2025 National Open Table-Tennis Tournament and Open Tennis Tournament took place at the Table-Tennis Gymnasium and the
The 12th Pyongyang Musical Instruments Exhibition opened with due ceremony at the Pyongyang International House of Culture on
November 09, 2025
The 12th Pyongyang Musical Instruments Exhibition opened with due ceremony at the Pyongyang International House of Culture on
The 12th National Exhibition of Scientific Research Achievements of Universities took place at Kim Chaek University of Technology
November 09, 2025
The 12th National Exhibition of Scientific Research Achievements of Universities took place at Kim Chaek University of Technology
Rural residential districts have been built at the Jungdok and Jungsang farms in Junggang County, Jagang Province, which are
November 09, 2025
Rural residential districts have been built at the Jungdok and Jungsang farms in Junggang County, Jagang Province, which are
The delegation of the Military-Political General Department of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation headed by Director
November 09, 2025
The delegation of the Military-Political General Department of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation headed by Director
The Joyang Farm of the South Hamgyong Provincial Rural Economy Committee had a good harvest this year. Thanks to the officials and
November 09, 2025
The Joyang Farm of the South Hamgyong Provincial Rural Economy Committee had a good harvest this year. Thanks to the officials and
More Articles
