There is a woman who strives to ease the strains on electric power supply in the country. She is Hyon Ok Ju, manager of the thermal insulation building materials branch factory of the Pyongyang Thermal Power Station.
Earlier, she worked as director of the analysis station in a sector.
Though insulating brick was not her major, she set foot on the area under the influence of her father.
“My father had long researched insulating brick. He would say that if insulating brick consisting of thermal insulating materials is applied to the boiler, combustion efficiency would be enhanced and environmental pollution prevented,” recalled Hyon Ok Ju.
She succeeded to her father’s research project.
During her study she drew a conclusion that insulating brick could be made from white soot from a thermal power station and locally-abundant clay with no additive.
At the beginning, some technicians regarded it as a fancy. Though many research findings on insulating brick were issued, its mass production based on domestic materials had not been realized.
After painstaking quest and efforts, she established an insulating brick production process based on white soot, before making trial products and going to the Pyongyang Thermal Power Station so as to introduce it.
“Every sci-tech research finding would be impractical and empty talk, if it is not introduced into reality no matter how valuable it may be. I wanted to prove my research success in reality,” said Hyon Ok Ju.
The old insulation walls of a boiler were pulled down and the walls were built with newly-made insulating bricks, then the combustion efficiency of the boiler began to rise.
“I was very happy to see electricity production increase. At the thought that I did something helpful to relieving power shortage in the country, the pains I had taken so far seemed to turn into a happy memory. And I felt an urge to dedicate my all to this place,” she added.
Therefore, Ok Ju became an employee of the power plant and afterwards an insulating brick workteam was set up there before being expanded into a branch factory.
She went to other thermal power stations to render substantial help in establishing the insulating brick production process.
Hyon Ok Ju is continuing her research to improve the technical specifications of the insulating brick.
More From Pyongyang Times
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a statement on December 30 2025 warned that his country would strongly counter any
January 06, 2026
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a statement on December 30 2025 warned that his country would strongly counter any
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his New Year address on the occasion of the New Year 2026. He said that the Russian
January 06, 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his New Year address on the occasion of the New Year 2026. He said that the Russian
The respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un provided a reception for the art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan who
January 06, 2026
The respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un provided a reception for the art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan who
New houses were built at the Changbong Farm in Jonchon County and the Ryonsong Farm in Chosan County, Jagang Province. Ceremonies
January 06, 2026
New houses were built at the Changbong Farm in Jonchon County and the Ryonsong Farm in Chosan County, Jagang Province. Ceremonies
Workers of the Kujang Cement Factory carried out a blasting of 100 000 cubic metres of earth on January 4. The successful blasting
January 06, 2026
Workers of the Kujang Cement Factory carried out a blasting of 100 000 cubic metres of earth on January 4. The successful blasting
The Regional Development 20×10 Policy of the Workers’ Party of Korea aims at building modern regional-industry factories in 20
January 06, 2026
The Regional Development 20×10 Policy of the Workers’ Party of Korea aims at building modern regional-industry factories in 20
What is essential for the development of a state is national self-dependence and its own strength. It is like a suicidal act of
January 06, 2026
What is essential for the development of a state is national self-dependence and its own strength. It is like a suicidal act of
Various units have carried out their plans for the first day of the new year. The Namhung Youth Chemical Complex fulfilled its
January 05, 2026
Various units have carried out their plans for the first day of the new year. The Namhung Youth Chemical Complex fulfilled its
A sub-unit under a major firing strike group of the Korean People's Army conducted a missile launching drill on January 4. The
January 05, 2026
A sub-unit under a major firing strike group of the Korean People's Army conducted a missile launching drill on January 4. The
The present reality, in which the world peace and stability are being disturbed due to the ever-growing moves of the
January 05, 2026
The present reality, in which the world peace and stability are being disturbed due to the ever-growing moves of the
As regards the US’ announcement of a large-scale arms sale to Taiwan of China, the Chinese government issued a decision on
January 05, 2026
As regards the US’ announcement of a large-scale arms sale to Taiwan of China, the Chinese government issued a decision on
The rural communities of the country have taken on a new appearance day after day. Last year, the fourth year of implementing the
January 05, 2026
The rural communities of the country have taken on a new appearance day after day. Last year, the fourth year of implementing the
Proud entities showing rural development were built at the Pobu Farm in Kaechon City and Phungthan and Phyongri farms in Sunchon
January 05, 2026
Proud entities showing rural development were built at the Pobu Farm in Kaechon City and Phungthan and Phyongri farms in Sunchon
Agricultural workers of the Songjuk Industrial Crop Farm under the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the
January 05, 2026
Agricultural workers of the Songjuk Industrial Crop Farm under the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the
Country and youth are one Last year, too, many young people volunteered for workplaces in response to the country’s call. With
January 05, 2026
Country and youth are one Last year, too, many young people volunteered for workplaces in response to the country’s call. With
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
January 04, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
The Nigerien government took a measure to stop issuing visas for Americans and forbid them to enter its country. According to the
January 04, 2026
The Nigerien government took a measure to stop issuing visas for Americans and forbid them to enter its country. According to the
New houses were built at the Choun Farm in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, and Ssangbong Farm in Hoesang District of the
January 04, 2026
New houses were built at the Choun Farm in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, and Ssangbong Farm in Hoesang District of the
In 2025, too, the DPRK made considerable successes in education work that the Workers’ Party of Korea and the government put
January 04, 2026
In 2025, too, the DPRK made considerable successes in education work that the Workers’ Party of Korea and the government put
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages from organizations and bodies of the General Association of
January 04, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages from organizations and bodies of the General Association of
More Articles