There stands a lowish old-time building opposite the Ryongwang Pavilion in sharp contrast to skyscrapers in the heart of Pyongyang. In front of it is a bust of a plain woman.
She lost her father at the age of seven, got married to a poor man at 14 and was widowed at 16.
She had nothing but a house inherited from her mother and toiled and moiled to make her living. Although she was in her 20s, she showed no interest in fancy clothes and makeup and led a frugal life without doing any holidaymaking.
She became a wealthiest person in the South Phyongan provincial area after selling a forlorn stony mountain, which she had bought very cheap, to a Japanese capitalist at an exorbitant price.
This story was spread like a tale of legendary exploit among people as the ordinary woman made fabulous profits in a deal with the slick Japanese businessman in those days when women were treated as inferior to men.
Though she was a millionaire, she was still diligent and thrifty.
And she donated large sums of money she had earned with so much effort for the good of people.
Her first donation went to the construction of a bridge.
As she saw people inconveniently crossing a shabby wooden bridge due to flood, she decided to fund the building of the stone bridge. When the bride was completed in 1914, people called her Paek Son Haeng in praise of her virtue and named the bridge Paekson Bridge.
Once she happened to know that a community centre in Pyongyang was exclusive to Japanese. Much indignant at that, she proposed building a community centre for the fellow countrymen together with influential persons and bore the full cost of the project amounting to tens of thousands of won.
As a result, the three-storey stone building was erected opposite the Ryongwang Pavilion and now it is called the Paek Song Haeng Memorial.
She also made sizeable investment for the development of national education. The then schools in Pyongyang like Kwangsong primary school, Changdok school and Sungui women’s school are said to have been run with the dozens of hectares of land and huge sums she donated as assets.
Paek Song Haeng passed away at the age of 85 in 1933.
It is said that the funeral procession stretched for as far as four kilometres on the day of her funeral.
More From Pyongyang Times
The Korean people call the present times the golden age of construction and the new era of comprehensive development of socialism.
December 16, 2025
The Korean people call the present times the golden age of construction and the new era of comprehensive development of socialism.
The Workers’ Party of Korea is accelerating the accomplishment of the epoch-making cause of reconstructing the regional economy
December 16, 2025
The Workers’ Party of Korea is accelerating the accomplishment of the epoch-making cause of reconstructing the regional economy
Modern houses have been built at Majon and Naeho farms in Hamhung City and the Paeksang Farm in Pujon County of South Hamgyong
December 16, 2025
Modern houses have been built at Majon and Naeho farms in Hamhung City and the Paeksang Farm in Pujon County of South Hamgyong
South Phyongan Province has modernized the city and county Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories. Jungsan County worked out a
December 16, 2025
South Phyongan Province has modernized the city and county Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories. Jungsan County worked out a
Hoeguksu or noodles with seasoned sliced raw fish was relished by people in the coastal areas. Through a long historical course,
December 16, 2025
Hoeguksu or noodles with seasoned sliced raw fish was relished by people in the coastal areas. Through a long historical course,
Baskets of flowers in the name of the UN resident coordinator office and the missions of UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, WFP and WHO in
December 15, 2025
Baskets of flowers in the name of the UN resident coordinator office and the missions of UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, WFP and WHO in
The Hungarian prime minister warned that Ukraine’s accession to the EU might cause danger through an SNS on December 8.Referring t
December 15, 2025
The Hungarian prime minister warned that Ukraine’s accession to the EU might cause danger through an SNS on December 8.Referring t
Personages of different countries highly praised the revolutionary exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il who led the socialist cause of
December 15, 2025
Personages of different countries highly praised the revolutionary exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il who led the socialist cause of
Memorial meetings, seminars, round-table talks, lectures, photo exhibitions and film shows took place in Myanmar, Indonesia,
December 15, 2025
Memorial meetings, seminars, round-table talks, lectures, photo exhibitions and film shows took place in Myanmar, Indonesia,
The Kanggye Zoo has been splendidly built in Jagang Province. The zoo located in the Oesan area of Kanggye City has ten-odd animal
December 15, 2025
The Kanggye Zoo has been splendidly built in Jagang Province. The zoo located in the Oesan area of Kanggye City has ten-odd animal
New villages have been built in South Hamgyong Province one after another, adding pleasure to agricultural workers. The modern
December 15, 2025
New villages have been built in South Hamgyong Province one after another, adding pleasure to agricultural workers. The modern
Modern houses have been built at the Munyang and Phyongam farms in Koksan County of North Hwanghae Province and the Ryongpho and
December 15, 2025
Modern houses have been built at the Munyang and Phyongam farms in Koksan County of North Hwanghae Province and the Ryongpho and
The Workers’ Party of Korea is powerfully carrying on the regional-industry revolution and the public health revolution,
December 14, 2025
The Workers’ Party of Korea is powerfully carrying on the regional-industry revolution and the public health revolution,
The Haeju Tilery was inaugurated in South Hwanghae Province. The tilery is furnished with modern equipment to fully supply
December 14, 2025
The Haeju Tilery was inaugurated in South Hwanghae Province. The tilery is furnished with modern equipment to fully supply
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded that the US observe the One China principle in a press conference
December 14, 2025
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded that the US observe the One China principle in a press conference
The Jangsu Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory produces highly-efficacious traditional medicines in large quantities. The
December 14, 2025
The Jangsu Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory produces highly-efficacious traditional medicines in large quantities. The
Jagang Province has built the Kanggye Interlock Tile Factory. The construction of the modern factory furnished with various kinds
December 14, 2025
Jagang Province has built the Kanggye Interlock Tile Factory. The construction of the modern factory furnished with various kinds
The ideal socialist villages are being built one after another, representing the new appearance of civilization of Korean style.
December 13, 2025
The ideal socialist villages are being built one after another, representing the new appearance of civilization of Korean style.
On display in the building of Pyongyang University of Architecture are many artist’s impressions of buildings created by
December 13, 2025
On display in the building of Pyongyang University of Architecture are many artist’s impressions of buildings created by
The Korean People's Army, which regards the absolute loyalty to the Workers' Party of Korea and the revolution as its sacred
December 13, 2025
The Korean People's Army, which regards the absolute loyalty to the Workers' Party of Korea and the revolution as its sacred
More Articles