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)
The Socialist Women’s Union of Korea, the mass-based political organization of women in the DPRK, was founded on November 18, 1945
November 18, 2025
The Socialist Women’s Union of Korea, the mass-based political organization of women in the DPRK, was founded on November 18, 1945
The construction of thousands of rural dwellings planned for this year has been successfully completed in Ryanggang Province of
November 18, 2025
The construction of thousands of rural dwellings planned for this year has been successfully completed in Ryanggang Province of
-Visit to Unsan County, North Phyongan Province- Unsan County is located in an eastern part of North Phyongan Province. It is
November 18, 2025
-Visit to Unsan County, North Phyongan Province- Unsan County is located in an eastern part of North Phyongan Province. It is
In the DPRK much effort is directed to protecting useful animals and increasing their number. As part of such nationwide effort,
November 18, 2025
In the DPRK much effort is directed to protecting useful animals and increasing their number. As part of such nationwide effort,
There is a forest of metasequoia over thousands of square metres in the Central Botanical Garden at the foot of Mt Taesong in the
November 18, 2025
There is a forest of metasequoia over thousands of square metres in the Central Botanical Garden at the foot of Mt Taesong in the
The people across the DPRK significantly marked Mother’s Day.People visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the sacred temple of J
November 18, 2025
The people across the DPRK significantly marked Mother’s Day.People visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the sacred temple of J
Currently, prevention and treatment of diseases by using natural minerals has become a trend in healthcare practice. The Koryo
November 18, 2025
Currently, prevention and treatment of diseases by using natural minerals has become a trend in healthcare practice. The Koryo
The DPRK team had a match with the Venezuelan team on November 15 (local time) in the round of 32 for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup
November 18, 2025
The DPRK team had a match with the Venezuelan team on November 15 (local time) in the round of 32 for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup
The DPRK has long enforced a childcare system in which children are nursed and brought up at nurseries and kindergartens. After
November 17, 2025
The DPRK has long enforced a childcare system in which children are nursed and brought up at nurseries and kindergartens. After
A research group of the Chemical Engineering Faculty of Kim Chaek University of Technology has recently developed an advanced
November 17, 2025
A research group of the Chemical Engineering Faculty of Kim Chaek University of Technology has recently developed an advanced
In 1905 Japan fabricated the Ulsa Five-point Treaty in a bid to establish colonial domination over Korea. Entering the 20th
November 17, 2025
In 1905 Japan fabricated the Ulsa Five-point Treaty in a bid to establish colonial domination over Korea. Entering the 20th
The whole country is extending warm congratulations to the mothers on the occasion of Mother’s Day amid the ongoing campaign to
November 17, 2025
The whole country is extending warm congratulations to the mothers on the occasion of Mother’s Day amid the ongoing campaign to
Farmers of the Songam Farm in Taean District, Nampho Municipality which is located at the gateway to the capital city of the DPRK,
November 17, 2025
Farmers of the Songam Farm in Taean District, Nampho Municipality which is located at the gateway to the capital city of the DPRK,
Modern houses of various styles have been built at the Phosong Farm of the Ryanggang Provincial Rural Economy Committee and at the
November 16, 2025
Modern houses of various styles have been built at the Phosong Farm of the Ryanggang Provincial Rural Economy Committee and at the
The Tourist Souvenir Exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Okryu Exhibition House in the DPRK on November 14. Presented
November 16, 2025
The Tourist Souvenir Exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Okryu Exhibition House in the DPRK on November 14. Presented
November 16 is Mother’s Day in the DPRK. The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung attended the First National Conference of Mothers
November 16, 2025
November 16 is Mother’s Day in the DPRK. The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung attended the First National Conference of Mothers
Tangible results have been achieved in the effort to implement the comprehensive mechanization of the rural economy. For the past
November 16, 2025
Tangible results have been achieved in the effort to implement the comprehensive mechanization of the rural economy. For the past
Songs imbued with love and affection for mothers are widely sung across the country in the run-up to Mother’s Day (November 16).
November 16, 2025
Songs imbued with love and affection for mothers are widely sung across the country in the run-up to Mother’s Day (November 16).
Agricultural workers of the Sangri and Upho stockbreeding farms in Phungso County, Ryanggang Province, the DPRK, moved into new
November 15, 2025
Agricultural workers of the Sangri and Upho stockbreeding farms in Phungso County, Ryanggang Province, the DPRK, moved into new
Early on October 1, 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the rehabilitation site in flood-stricken Kimhwa County,
November 15, 2025
Early on October 1, 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the rehabilitation site in flood-stricken Kimhwa County,
More Articles
