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)
In December last year it was reported that more than 90 young people from Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, volunteered to
January 20, 2026
In December last year it was reported that more than 90 young people from Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, volunteered to
The Taean Heavy Machine Complex is bringing about innovation in the production of various kinds of machines and equipment from the
January 20, 2026
The Taean Heavy Machine Complex is bringing about innovation in the production of various kinds of machines and equipment from the
As the New Year begins, various sectors of the national economy of the DPRK have registered high production records. The Kim Chaek
January 20, 2026
As the New Year begins, various sectors of the national economy of the DPRK have registered high production records. The Kim Chaek
Socialist ideal villages indicative of the Korean-style rural civilization sprang up at the Chollisong Farm in Taehung County and
January 20, 2026
Socialist ideal villages indicative of the Korean-style rural civilization sprang up at the Chollisong Farm in Taehung County and
The participants in the celebrations of the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League toured Pyongyang.
January 20, 2026
The participants in the celebrations of the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League toured Pyongyang.
The young people all over the DPRK significantly celebrated the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League,
January 19, 2026
The young people all over the DPRK significantly celebrated the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League,
One day in June 1963, the great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il had a talk with an official. During the talk the official requested him
January 19, 2026
One day in June 1963, the great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il had a talk with an official. During the talk the official requested him
An evening gala of youth and students was held in Pyongyang on January 17 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the
January 19, 2026
An evening gala of youth and students was held in Pyongyang on January 17 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the
Modern houses, symbolic of the era of the Workers’ Party, have been built at the Usan Cotton Farm in Hanggu District and the
January 19, 2026
Modern houses, symbolic of the era of the Workers’ Party, have been built at the Usan Cotton Farm in Hanggu District and the
A combined performance of the artistic motivational team of the Central Committee of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League and
January 19, 2026
A combined performance of the artistic motivational team of the Central Committee of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League and
5 000 members of the Paektusan Hero Youth Shock Brigade gave a choral performance, " Kim Jong Un ’s Era and Paektusan Hero
January 19, 2026
5 000 members of the Paektusan Hero Youth Shock Brigade gave a choral performance, " Kim Jong Un ’s Era and Paektusan Hero
This tree is found at the foot of Mt Tonghung in Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province. The 18.5m-high tree has grown for more than 400
January 19, 2026
This tree is found at the foot of Mt Tonghung in Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province. The 18.5m-high tree has grown for more than 400
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
January 19, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
Last year the DPRK made noticeable successes in promoting the marine scientific research and modernizing marine observation. The
January 19, 2026
Last year the DPRK made noticeable successes in promoting the marine scientific research and modernizing marine observation. The
A digital information measurement system for educational experiments developed by Kim Chol Ju University of Education is gaining
January 19, 2026
A digital information measurement system for educational experiments developed by Kim Chol Ju University of Education is gaining
New houses have been built at the Kwangchon Farm in Kangnyong County and the Sowon Farm in Pyoksong County of South Hwanghae
January 18, 2026
New houses have been built at the Kwangchon Farm in Kangnyong County and the Sowon Farm in Pyoksong County of South Hwanghae
The Jikha Atlantic Salmon Pedigree Farm was inaugurated in North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The construction of the pedigree
January 18, 2026
The Jikha Atlantic Salmon Pedigree Farm was inaugurated in North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The construction of the pedigree
There is a mural tomb at the foot of a hill in Yaksu-ri, Kangso District, Nampho Municipality. The tomb dating from the period of
January 18, 2026
There is a mural tomb at the foot of a hill in Yaksu-ri, Kangso District, Nampho Municipality. The tomb dating from the period of
The Sci-Tech Complex, a grand temple for all-people learning, is located on Ssuk Islet in the Taedong River flowing through the
January 18, 2026
The Sci-Tech Complex, a grand temple for all-people learning, is located on Ssuk Islet in the Taedong River flowing through the
At a time when a new life of socialist cultural efflorescence blooms all over the DPRK every day, modern dwelling houses were
January 17, 2026
At a time when a new life of socialist cultural efflorescence blooms all over the DPRK every day, modern dwelling houses were
More Articles
