Jong Yong Il, a stamp collector, works at the Mangyongdae Machine Tool Factory and lives in Pothonggang District, Pyongyang.
Over the past three decades, he has collected many stamps of various themes. His stamps were highly appreciated at exhibitions.
From his childhood, he was interested in drawing. After school he would spend his spare time drawing pictures from animations and illustrated books, and cropping pictures from New Year cards and stamps and matching them fairly. And he made his own illustrated books with them, which enjoyed high popularity among his classmates. The best of his illustrated books was the one made with the stamps he had collected. He still keeps the books. From then on, he began collecting stamps.
Stamp-collecting was his pleasure and part of his life.
Over ten stamp books with various themes, including history, architecture, flower and animal, vividly show how much effort he devoted to collecting stamps. His books contain over 5 000 pieces of stamps arranged in chronological and thematic orders, including “Rose of Sharon” and “Samson Hermitage” which were issued for the first time in Korea after national liberation (August 1945).
These books are the epitome of his life.
He made painstaking efforts to collect them. Once he traveled hundreds of ri to obtain a piece of stamps. He is also well known at his factory for his elaborate and tenacious workmanship. He says that he came to possess his workmanship while collecting stamps.
As a member of the Korean Philatelists Union, he does more than collecting stamps. He propagates stamp culture and history of its development among people with his stamp books, inspiring the national pride and self-confidence in them.
He took part in national stamp exhibitions every year, including the exhibitions held in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War and the 70th founding anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, and won diplomas and medals.
He said, “Stamp is not merely a small picture on a piece of paper but a treasure of a nation that reflects its history and culture.”
His two daughters, too, are stamp collectors.
More From Naenara (En)
New houses have appeared at the Sugye Farm in Unsan County and the Mungok Livestock Farm in Nyongwon County, South Phyongan
January 15, 2026
New houses have appeared at the Sugye Farm in Unsan County and the Mungok Livestock Farm in Nyongwon County, South Phyongan
In 2025, too, the DPRK made steady efforts to ramp up its national defence capabilities and safeguard the security of the nation
January 15, 2026
In 2025, too, the DPRK made steady efforts to ramp up its national defence capabilities and safeguard the security of the nation
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the then Pyongyang Municipal Mushroom Farm on January 9, 2015. Feasting his eyes on a
January 15, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the then Pyongyang Municipal Mushroom Farm on January 9, 2015. Feasting his eyes on a
Emperor Kojong, monarch of the feudal Joson dynasty, was poisoned to death by the Japanese imperialists on January 21, 1919.The mu
January 15, 2026
Emperor Kojong, monarch of the feudal Joson dynasty, was poisoned to death by the Japanese imperialists on January 21, 1919.The mu
Kim Song, permanent representative of the DPRK to the UN, issued the following press statement on January 13: Another unusual
January 14, 2026
Kim Song, permanent representative of the DPRK to the UN, issued the following press statement on January 13: Another unusual
The Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory was inaugurated in Kangwon Province, the DPRK. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un
January 14, 2026
The Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory was inaugurated in Kangwon Province, the DPRK. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un
Last year the Sangwon Cement Complex managed to increase the cement production by hundreds of thousands of tons. The complex set a
January 14, 2026
Last year the Sangwon Cement Complex managed to increase the cement production by hundreds of thousands of tons. The complex set a
In the DPRK the Worker-Peasant Red Guards constitute one of the two pillars of the country’s armed forces together with the
January 14, 2026
In the DPRK the Worker-Peasant Red Guards constitute one of the two pillars of the country’s armed forces together with the
Modern houses have been built at the Hwangju Township Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the
January 14, 2026
Modern houses have been built at the Hwangju Township Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the
A photo exhibition “Bringing up a large contingent of successors to the revolution and patriotic youth with great policy of
January 14, 2026
A photo exhibition “Bringing up a large contingent of successors to the revolution and patriotic youth with great policy of
Shuttlecock game is played by kicking the shuttlecock to perform various stunts or compete to kick it more than others.As one of t
January 14, 2026
Shuttlecock game is played by kicking the shuttlecock to perform various stunts or compete to kick it more than others.As one of t
Last year the DPRK built many public sports and leisure facilities in various places. The Ice Rink in the capital city of
January 14, 2026
Last year the DPRK built many public sports and leisure facilities in various places. The Ice Rink in the capital city of
One day in September 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited Kangbuk-ri, Kumchon County, North Hwanghae Province, which
January 13, 2026
One day in September 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited Kangbuk-ri, Kumchon County, North Hwanghae Province, which
The DPRK is promoting medical sci-tech exchanges. Symposiums and seminars in the field of medical sciences are held every year.
January 13, 2026
The DPRK is promoting medical sci-tech exchanges. Symposiums and seminars in the field of medical sciences are held every year.
2025 marked the final year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic development set forth at the Eighth
January 13, 2026
2025 marked the final year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic development set forth at the Eighth
At a time when new villages are springing up across the DPRK, new houses have been built at the Yaksan Farm in Songhwa County,
January 13, 2026
At a time when new villages are springing up across the DPRK, new houses have been built at the Yaksan Farm in Songhwa County,
Citizens of the DPRK conducted mass sports activities on the first day of sports for this year. Sports games were held at
January 13, 2026
Citizens of the DPRK conducted mass sports activities on the first day of sports for this year. Sports games were held at
New houses have been built at farm villages of Singye-ri, Hoeyang County and Jiha-ri, Phangyo County, Kangwon Province. The houses
January 12, 2026
New houses have been built at farm villages of Singye-ri, Hoeyang County and Jiha-ri, Phangyo County, Kangwon Province. The houses
From the outset of the new year, the present ultra-right ruling forces of Japan are adding a serious danger to the security
January 12, 2026
From the outset of the new year, the present ultra-right ruling forces of Japan are adding a serious danger to the security
Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press
January 11, 2026
Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press
More Articles
