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
Rapid population growth and economic development are accompanied by the consumption of huge amounts of resources. The resources
November 23, 2025
Rapid population growth and economic development are accompanied by the consumption of huge amounts of resources. The resources
Kim Yong Rok was born and bred in Chollima District, Nampho Municipality. Unfortunately, he was injured in his two arms in an
November 23, 2025
Kim Yong Rok was born and bred in Chollima District, Nampho Municipality. Unfortunately, he was injured in his two arms in an
As the US plans new military exercises in the Caribbean, the Venezuelan President called for consistently heightening vigilance
November 23, 2025
As the US plans new military exercises in the Caribbean, the Venezuelan President called for consistently heightening vigilance
Young people in Kaesong and Rason municipalities volunteered to work on major fronts for implementing the decisions of the Workers
November 22, 2025
Young people in Kaesong and Rason municipalities volunteered to work on major fronts for implementing the decisions of the Workers
A hot wind of volunteering is blowing across the country. Young people in all parts of the country including the capital city of
November 22, 2025
A hot wind of volunteering is blowing across the country. Young people in all parts of the country including the capital city of
According to data available, the number of applicants for immigration into Europe has steadily increased in recent years. The
November 22, 2025
According to data available, the number of applicants for immigration into Europe has steadily increased in recent years. The
The deputy prime minister of Italy asserted on November 14 that the additional support for Ukraine would not help end the war with
November 22, 2025
The deputy prime minister of Italy asserted on November 14 that the additional support for Ukraine would not help end the war with
A performance “Our Marshal and the People of Kangwon Province” was given at the Kangwon Provincial Art Theatre on November 20
November 22, 2025
A performance “Our Marshal and the People of Kangwon Province” was given at the Kangwon Provincial Art Theatre on November 20
An event took place at the Taedongmun Kindergarten in Central District of Pyongyang on November 20 to mark Child Health Day.
November 22, 2025
An event took place at the Taedongmun Kindergarten in Central District of Pyongyang on November 20 to mark Child Health Day.
Working people in the northernmost part of the country are leading a blessed life while enjoying rural civilization. New modern
November 22, 2025
Working people in the northernmost part of the country are leading a blessed life while enjoying rural civilization. New modern
Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, is wonderful in the daytime and fascinating at night thanks to illuminations. The
November 21, 2025
Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, is wonderful in the daytime and fascinating at night thanks to illuminations. The
A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry in a statement on November 15 denounced the US military threat to Venezuela. The
November 21, 2025
A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry in a statement on November 15 denounced the US military threat to Venezuela. The
New houses have been built at the Kochang Farm in Chollima District of Nampho Municipality this year after last year. A ceremony
November 21, 2025
New houses have been built at the Kochang Farm in Chollima District of Nampho Municipality this year after last year. A ceremony
The general training hall and lodging quarters for sportspersons of the Sports Club of the Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport
November 21, 2025
The general training hall and lodging quarters for sportspersons of the Sports Club of the Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport
The FA (Football Association) Cup tournament that started on November 9 came to a close in the DPRK. The tournament which was held
November 21, 2025
The FA (Football Association) Cup tournament that started on November 9 came to a close in the DPRK. The tournament which was held
Comrades,Just at this place over 280 days ago, we planned together the future of the revolution in public health.It seems as if it
November 20, 2025
Comrades,Just at this place over 280 days ago, we planned together the future of the revolution in public health.It seems as if it
At a time when essential projects at a trial stage are being successfully completed as part of the meaningful process of more
November 20, 2025
At a time when essential projects at a trial stage are being successfully completed as part of the meaningful process of more
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the US for selling munitions to Taiwan at a press conference on
November 20, 2025
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the US for selling munitions to Taiwan at a press conference on
The national martial arts championships ended on November 18. It was held at the Taekwon-Do Palace, the Taekwon-Do Holy Centre and
November 20, 2025
The national martial arts championships ended on November 18. It was held at the Taekwon-Do Palace, the Taekwon-Do Holy Centre and
State academic degrees and titles were awarded to the intellectuals who made positive contributions to the economic development of
November 20, 2025
State academic degrees and titles were awarded to the intellectuals who made positive contributions to the economic development of
More Articles
