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
Recently, the Laotian government set its major tasks for 2026. A government meeting took place in Vientiane, the capital of Laos,
January 28, 2026
Recently, the Laotian government set its major tasks for 2026. A government meeting took place in Vientiane, the capital of Laos,
The Indian embassy in Pyongyang hosted a reception at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on January 26 to mark the Day of the
January 28, 2026
The Indian embassy in Pyongyang hosted a reception at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on January 26 to mark the Day of the
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov decried the confrontational policy of the West at a press conference on January 20. Saying
January 28, 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov decried the confrontational policy of the West at a press conference on January 20. Saying
Modern houses have been built in the rural villages of Sokjang-ri of Jangyon County and Songnam-ri of Thaethan County, South
January 28, 2026
Modern houses have been built in the rural villages of Sokjang-ri of Jangyon County and Songnam-ri of Thaethan County, South
Schoolchildren’s winter vacation is now at its height. Their routines during the vacation are very diverse, and yet priority is
January 28, 2026
Schoolchildren’s winter vacation is now at its height. Their routines during the vacation are very diverse, and yet priority is
The Sariwon Tannery in North Hwanghae Province has been remodelled. All its production lines, ranging from raw material feeding to
January 28, 2026
The Sariwon Tannery in North Hwanghae Province has been remodelled. All its production lines, ranging from raw material feeding to
A meeting was held on January 26 to review the 2025 socialist emulation in the fruit farming sector. Present there were Ri Chol
January 28, 2026
A meeting was held on January 26 to review the 2025 socialist emulation in the fruit farming sector. Present there were Ri Chol
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a talk on January 19 that the country should develop its economy by its own
January 27, 2026
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a talk on January 19 that the country should develop its economy by its own
The German prime minister at a press conference on January 19 resisted the US’ tariff pressure in relation to the Greenland issue.
January 27, 2026
The German prime minister at a press conference on January 19 resisted the US’ tariff pressure in relation to the Greenland issue.
Construction projects conducive to developing the self-supporting economy have been completed one after another in different parts
January 27, 2026
Construction projects conducive to developing the self-supporting economy have been completed one after another in different parts
Ryu Kum Hui is one of the talented film artistes. Born in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, she was gifted with a clear voice
January 27, 2026
Ryu Kum Hui is one of the talented film artistes. Born in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, she was gifted with a clear voice
The Musan Mining Complex carried out the blasting of one million cubic metres of earth on January 25. The successful blasting
January 27, 2026
The Musan Mining Complex carried out the blasting of one million cubic metres of earth on January 25. The successful blasting
Kimchi is one of the typical foods of the DPRK. A unique processed vegetable made through lactic fermentation of vegetable, kimchi
January 27, 2026
Kimchi is one of the typical foods of the DPRK. A unique processed vegetable made through lactic fermentation of vegetable, kimchi
The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex is bringing about a great upsurge in production. Last year the complex conducted maintenance
January 27, 2026
The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex is bringing about a great upsurge in production. Last year the complex conducted maintenance
On January 18, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK issued a joint statement against the
January 26, 2026
On January 18, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK issued a joint statement against the
The prime minister of Greenland reaffirmed the stand to defend the right to self-determination on January 19. The oppressive moves
January 26, 2026
The prime minister of Greenland reaffirmed the stand to defend the right to self-determination on January 19. The oppressive moves
Modern rural dwellings are springing up one after another in Kangwon Province amid the news of ceremonies of moving into new
January 26, 2026
Modern rural dwellings are springing up one after another in Kangwon Province amid the news of ceremonies of moving into new
Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education has been newly built in North Hwanghae Province. The university has school buildings,
January 26, 2026
Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education has been newly built in North Hwanghae Province. The university has school buildings,
The Farm Machine Institute has been successfully built as the central base for leading the comprehensive mechanization of
January 26, 2026
The Farm Machine Institute has been successfully built as the central base for leading the comprehensive mechanization of
A fish pickling workshop has been built at the Hanchon Fishery Station. The construction of the base for producing various kinds
January 26, 2026
A fish pickling workshop has been built at the Hanchon Fishery Station. The construction of the base for producing various kinds
More Articles
