In November Juche 85 (1996), a video programme “Mushroom Girl” was televised.
It was a story about Choe San Bok, a mushroom cultivator at the Moranbong District Vegetables and Fruits Wholesale Store in Pyongyang, who has dedicated herself to the research and cultivation of mushrooms for over ten years. She made painstaking efforts to develop a method of Pleurotus eryngii growing by making use of activated sludge and increased its yield by 1.5 to 2 times. She produced large amount of mushrooms every year and sent them to the honoured disabled soldiers, war veterans, nurseries and kindergartens in the district. The story caused a great sensation.
The State highly appreciated her for her contribution to improving the people’s living standards by developing mushrooms that give high yields and are easy enough to be cultivated by anyone. Her new method of mushroom cultivation became generalized throughout the country. Her working place turned into a “training centre”, which drew many people from across the country.
While keeping her cultivation and research of mushrooms, she chose every Wednesday as the day of technical workshop and ran it on a regular basis. She visited mushroom cultivation grounds over 80 times and gave technical workshops and demonstrations. She has since disseminated her new method to over 50 thousand people from all walks of life and introduced it into more than 2 000 units, including industrial establishments and cooperative farms in different parts of the country. As a result, the number of model mushroom cultivation units and families has increased.
In recent years, she developed a technique of Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation based on zymotechnics that make use of waste substrates of Pleurotus eryngii and a technique of Auricularia polytricha cultivation by means of short fermentation on ondol (underfloor heating system) and high-temperature treatment and thus made it possible to increase the output of mushrooms.
She also developed a method of producing pig feed by making use of mushroom waste substrates and wrote several books, including “Mushroom cultivation and technique of using waste substrates”.
“I will render services to turning ours into a mushroom country,” she said.
The “mushroom girl” is still devoting herself to the research and cultivation of mushrooms.
She is the secretary-general of the Pyongyang Municipal Mushroom Association.
More From Naenara (En)
One day in January 2014, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un inspected a seafood refrigerating facility newly built by a unit of the
February 01, 2026
One day in January 2014, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un inspected a seafood refrigerating facility newly built by a unit of the
January 31 this year marks the 80th founding anniversary of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea (UAWK). After Korea was
January 31, 2026
January 31 this year marks the 80th founding anniversary of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea (UAWK). After Korea was
North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK completed a project for expanding the capacity of the Kyongam Cement Factory. The
January 31, 2026
North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK completed a project for expanding the capacity of the Kyongam Cement Factory. The
Modern houses have been built at rural villages in Sinchon and Pongchon counties, South Hwanghae Province of the DPRK. The houses
January 31, 2026
Modern houses have been built at rural villages in Sinchon and Pongchon counties, South Hwanghae Province of the DPRK. The houses
One day in August 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un paid a congratulatory visit to a helicopter unit of the Air Force of the
January 31, 2026
One day in August 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un paid a congratulatory visit to a helicopter unit of the Air Force of the
A conference of the Headquarters of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea was held on January 28 amid the
January 30, 2026
A conference of the Headquarters of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea was held on January 28 amid the
North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK has remodelled the Unpha Cement Factory and the Unpha Corrugated Paper Factory. Their
January 30, 2026
North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK has remodelled the Unpha Cement Factory and the Unpha Corrugated Paper Factory. Their
Several industrial establishments increase their production by recycling different kinds of wastes. The Namhung Youth Chemical
January 30, 2026
Several industrial establishments increase their production by recycling different kinds of wastes. The Namhung Youth Chemical
A large number of Korean people work devotedly for their country with a clear conscience whether they are acknowledged or not.
January 30, 2026
A large number of Korean people work devotedly for their country with a clear conscience whether they are acknowledged or not.
Modern houses have appeared at the Churung Farm in Samchon County and the Sinhwanpho Farm in Jaeryong County, South Hwanghae
January 30, 2026
Modern houses have appeared at the Churung Farm in Samchon County and the Sinhwanpho Farm in Jaeryong County, South Hwanghae
Over the past five years, the policies of the Workers’ Party of Korea for rising generation were thoroughly implemented in any
January 29, 2026
Over the past five years, the policies of the Workers’ Party of Korea for rising generation were thoroughly implemented in any
North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK newly built the Kyongam Wood Processing Factory in Sariwon City. The construction of this
January 29, 2026
North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK newly built the Kyongam Wood Processing Factory in Sariwon City. The construction of this
The Pyongyang Catfish Farm boasts a high level of scientific and intensive production. It produces a large quantity of catfish all
January 29, 2026
The Pyongyang Catfish Farm boasts a high level of scientific and intensive production. It produces a large quantity of catfish all
Jon Jong Hwan has been working at the Ryongdung Coal Mine under the Kujang Area Coal-mining Complex for scores of years. He was
January 29, 2026
Jon Jong Hwan has been working at the Ryongdung Coal Mine under the Kujang Area Coal-mining Complex for scores of years. He was
In the new era of the Korean-style rural development, farms in Changdo and Thongchon counties, Kangwon Province of the DPRK, have
January 29, 2026
In the new era of the Korean-style rural development, farms in Changdo and Thongchon counties, Kangwon Province of the DPRK, have
The Sariwon Tannery in North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK has been remodelled. All its production lines, ranging from raw
January 28, 2026
The Sariwon Tannery in North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK has been remodelled. All its production lines, ranging from raw
One day in January 2014, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the State Academy of Sciences. That day he said: Scientific
January 28, 2026
One day in January 2014, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the State Academy of Sciences. That day he said: Scientific
The Mining Engineering Institute under the Academy of Coal Science has developed a new type of hydraulic rotary drill. A research
January 28, 2026
The Mining Engineering Institute under the Academy of Coal Science has developed a new type of hydraulic rotary drill. A research
Modern houses have been built in the rural villages of Sokjang-ri, Jangyon County, and Songnam-ri, Thaethan County, South Hwanghae
January 28, 2026
Modern houses have been built in the rural villages of Sokjang-ri, Jangyon County, and Songnam-ri, Thaethan County, South Hwanghae
Mt Chilbo in North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK is a celebrated mountain. Its name denotes it has seven rare treasures. It
January 28, 2026
Mt Chilbo in North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK is a celebrated mountain. Its name denotes it has seven rare treasures. It
More Articles
