The first woman deputy of the DPRK parliament was Kim Tuk Ran (July 1913-April 2010).
She was born as the eighth daughter of a poor family. Her birth was a great burden to her family which lived a hand-to-mouth existence.
Worse still, her future was uncertain in the society where women were regarded as inferior to men.
However, the liberation of the country (August 15, 1945) breathed life into her family.
The promulgation of the Law on Agrarian Reform (March 1946), the Labour Law (June 1946) and the Law on Sex Equality (July 1946) opened up a broad avenue for her and all other Korean women and made it possible for them to devote their all to building a new country.
Working as the chairwoman of the women’s union in Raeha-ri, Thaechon County, North Phyongan Province, she proactively inspired all the women in the ri to the efforts to implement the line of nation building advanced by President Kim Il Sung .
During the Fatherland Liberation War (June 1950-July 1953), she worked hard to increase agricultural production and fought bravely in defence of her native land, although she had lost her two-year-old son (her only son) in an enemy’s air raid.
She attended a meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) held in Japan in the early 1970s as a member of the DPRK delegation. On learning that she was a vice-chairwoman of the DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly, other participants from various countries showed special interest in her and wanted to know which university she had attended and how she could have become a vice-chairwoman.
Whenever she was asked by the press, she would say: I am an ordinary woman with a common family background. I was a kitchen maid. But thanks to the care of my country which truly respects women’s rights, I have been able to glorify my life as a vice-chairwoman of the Supreme People’s Assembly.
She served as a deputy to the SPA for three decades, 13 years of which as its vice-chairwoman.
She brought up her six daughters well to become talented creative workers in the sector of art and literature.
The life of Kim Tuk Ran epitomizes those of the Korean women who were once disregarded both in their families and society but have become the masters of the country and society.
More From Naenara (En)
The provincial building materials exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Sci-Tech Complex on December 9. Presented to the
December 11, 2025
The provincial building materials exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Sci-Tech Complex on December 9. Presented to the
Proud entities visually showing the rapid development of the socialist countryside flourishing day by day are being built one
December 11, 2025
Proud entities visually showing the rapid development of the socialist countryside flourishing day by day are being built one
Associate Professor Choe Ryon, PhD, teaches at the Faculty of Korean Linguistics of Kim Il Sung University. She won the WIPO
December 11, 2025
Associate Professor Choe Ryon, PhD, teaches at the Faculty of Korean Linguistics of Kim Il Sung University. She won the WIPO
The secretary office of the premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on December 10 informed the
December 11, 2025
The secretary office of the premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on December 10 informed the
Choe Son Hui, minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, No Kwang Chol, minister of National
December 11, 2025
Choe Son Hui, minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, No Kwang Chol, minister of National
Pak Jong Chon and Jo Chun Ryong, secretaries of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim Jae Ryong, department
December 11, 2025
Pak Jong Chon and Jo Chun Ryong, secretaries of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim Jae Ryong, department
Mt Myohyang located in the northwestern part of the DPRK is one of the celebrated mountains. It is famous for its superb scenery.
December 10, 2025
Mt Myohyang located in the northwestern part of the DPRK is one of the celebrated mountains. It is famous for its superb scenery.
Agricultural workers moved with pleasure into modern houses newly built in farm villages of Jagang Province as part of the perfect
December 10, 2025
Agricultural workers moved with pleasure into modern houses newly built in farm villages of Jagang Province as part of the perfect
Rope-skipping is one of the Korean children's folk games that is played by skipping over a moving or fixed rope in different ways
December 10, 2025
Rope-skipping is one of the Korean children's folk games that is played by skipping over a moving or fixed rope in different ways
Choe Son Hui, minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a message of condolence to Sergei
December 10, 2025
Choe Son Hui, minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a message of condolence to Sergei
The royal jelly goods produced by the Chilgol Songdo Factory are gaining popularity among the customers. Lately the research team
December 10, 2025
The royal jelly goods produced by the Chilgol Songdo Factory are gaining popularity among the customers. Lately the research team
In December last year, when the inauguration ceremony of the Sinpho City Offshore Farm in South Hamgyong Province was held, the re
December 09, 2025
In December last year, when the inauguration ceremony of the Sinpho City Offshore Farm in South Hamgyong Province was held, the re
Agricultural workers of the Taedong Farm in Tongchang County and the Namha Farm in Pyoktong County, North Phyongan Province, have
December 09, 2025
Agricultural workers of the Taedong Farm in Tongchang County and the Namha Farm in Pyoktong County, North Phyongan Province, have
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un leads the revolution and construction by inspiring the entire population through the socialist
December 09, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un leads the revolution and construction by inspiring the entire population through the socialist
The Yakjon Farm in Sukchon County, South Phyongan Province, is facelifting itself. The first year when the programme for the rural
December 09, 2025
The Yakjon Farm in Sukchon County, South Phyongan Province, is facelifting itself. The first year when the programme for the rural
The Hamhung Grand Theatre was remodelled in South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The grand theatre with a total floor space of
December 08, 2025
The Hamhung Grand Theatre was remodelled in South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The grand theatre with a total floor space of
Modern villages have sprung up at the Hungsang Farm in Ragwon County and the Township Farm in Kumya County, South Hamgyong
December 08, 2025
Modern villages have sprung up at the Hungsang Farm in Ragwon County and the Township Farm in Kumya County, South Hamgyong
The Mindulle Paper Mill has been remodelled. The mill, a labour-, water- and plot-saving enterprise, is furnished with various
December 07, 2025
The Mindulle Paper Mill has been remodelled. The mill, a labour-, water- and plot-saving enterprise, is furnished with various
South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK has remodelled the Hamhung Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory. The factory, furnished with
December 07, 2025
South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK has remodelled the Hamhung Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory. The factory, furnished with
A black swan breeding base has been newly built at the Anju Duck Farm in South Phyongan Province, the DPRK. The construction of
December 07, 2025
A black swan breeding base has been newly built at the Anju Duck Farm in South Phyongan Province, the DPRK. The construction of
More Articles
