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)
There took place a short course for the participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, the
March 01, 2026
There took place a short course for the participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, the
A Pyongyang military-civilian meeting and a public procession took place with splendour at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. The
March 01, 2026
A Pyongyang military-civilian meeting and a public procession took place with splendour at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. The
A reception was given at the Mokran House on February 27 for the special guests who were invited to the celebrations of the Ninth
March 01, 2026
A reception was given at the Mokran House on February 27 for the special guests who were invited to the celebrations of the Ninth
The participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea conducted various political and cultural activities. While
March 01, 2026
The participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea conducted various political and cultural activities. While
The 39th Sci-tech Festival of Kim Il Sung University took place in the DPRK from February 25 to 27. Presented to the festival held
March 01, 2026
The 39th Sci-tech Festival of Kim Il Sung University took place in the DPRK from February 25 to 27. Presented to the festival held
Youth and students had a gala evening at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. Among the spectators were Pak Thae Song, member of the
March 01, 2026
Youth and students had a gala evening at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. Among the spectators were Pak Thae Song, member of the
The 2026 National Winter Games closed at the ice hockey gymnasium in the Paektusan area sports village in Samjiyon City, Ryanggang
March 01, 2026
The 2026 National Winter Games closed at the ice hockey gymnasium in the Paektusan area sports village in Samjiyon City, Ryanggang
At the beginning of the last century Japan militarily occupied Korea to impose an unprecedentedly harsh rule, forcing the Koreans
March 01, 2026
At the beginning of the last century Japan militarily occupied Korea to impose an unprecedentedly harsh rule, forcing the Koreans
Ryomyong Primary School in Taesong District, Pyongyang, is steadily improving the educational informatization. In a bid to make
February 28, 2026
Ryomyong Primary School in Taesong District, Pyongyang, is steadily improving the educational informatization. In a bid to make
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
February 28, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
The Mindulle Notebook Factory is situated on the banks of the Pothong River in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK. The
February 28, 2026
The Mindulle Notebook Factory is situated on the banks of the Pothong River in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK. The
From olden times Korea has been called a land of golden tapestry for its beautiful mountains and limpid streams. The mountains and
February 28, 2026
From olden times Korea has been called a land of golden tapestry for its beautiful mountains and limpid streams. The mountains and
The Paektusan Millyong Hot Spring is located in the city of Samjiyon, Ryanggang Province in the northern part of the DPRK. In the
February 28, 2026
The Paektusan Millyong Hot Spring is located in the city of Samjiyon, Ryanggang Province in the northern part of the DPRK. In the
Receptions were given in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, on February 26 to commemorate the Ninth Congress of the
February 27, 2026
Receptions were given in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, on February 26 to commemorate the Ninth Congress of the
The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in January 2021 set it as a core task in socialist construction to
February 27, 2026
The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in January 2021 set it as a core task in socialist construction to
Days ago, the inauguration ceremony of 10 000 flats at the fourth stage in the Hwasong area celebrating the overfulfilment of the
February 27, 2026
Days ago, the inauguration ceremony of 10 000 flats at the fourth stage in the Hwasong area celebrating the overfulfilment of the
One day in November 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Phothae-dong, Samjiyon City. The dwelling houses and
February 27, 2026
One day in November 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Phothae-dong, Samjiyon City. The dwelling houses and
February 16 witnessed a splendid inauguration ceremony of 10 000 flats at the fourth stage in the Hwasong area in Pyongyang, the
February 27, 2026
February 16 witnessed a splendid inauguration ceremony of 10 000 flats at the fourth stage in the Hwasong area in Pyongyang, the
The Onpho Working People’s Holiday Camp opened in the DPRK.The holiday camp, located in a picturesque place, has hot spring therap
February 27, 2026
The Onpho Working People’s Holiday Camp opened in the DPRK.The holiday camp, located in a picturesque place, has hot spring therap
A grand artistic performance was given at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on February 26 to commemorate the Ninth Congress of the
February 27, 2026
A grand artistic performance was given at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on February 26 to commemorate the Ninth Congress of the
More Articles
