The medical scientist who developed the measles vaccine for the first time in the DPRK is People’s Scientist Yu Suk Gun (b. Sep. 24, 1921–d. Apr. 11, 2001), a candidate academician, professor and PhD.
During the Fatherland Liberation War (June 25, 1950–July 27, 1953) she rendered distinguished service to frustrating the enemy’s germ warfare. After the war, she developed many medicines needed for the prevention and treatment of exanthematous typhus, typhoid fever, Japanese encephalitis and rabies. Especially, she made an active contribution to protecting children’s lives by developing the measles vaccine in the 1960s.
At that time measles was a horrible contagious disease taking the lives of children mercilessly.
Keenly feeling that developing a vaccine to prevent the evil disease as early as possible was a responsible undertaking to perform her duty as medical scientist to promote the people’s health, she buckled down to relevant research together with other researchers.
At last they succeeded in separating measles virus for the first time in the country. The measles vaccine she made had better stability and immunogenicity than those made in other countries.
However, Yu had a different thought because though the scientific guarantee for the vaccine was proved, it was imperative to vaccinate any person first. She was in agony with the matter as she could not readily vaccinate others. So she made up her mind to inject the vaccine to her daughter first. But she was quite reluctant to do so. She could hardly pay much attention to her daughter as she was always engrossed in the research work. Though with a strong will, she was also a mother who had a child before a scientist.
When her mother knew that she was going to inject herself and her granddaughter with the vaccine, she was startled, embracing her granddaughter to keep her safe lest anyone else should touch her.
But Yu did not change her determination.
The measles vaccine, which removed anxiety and worry from the mind of all mothers in the country, came into being just thanks to the self-sacrificing spirit of the scientist who had unhesitatingly put her own life and happiness of her family at risk for the people’s life and safety.
More From Uriminzokkiri (En)
The annals of the victorious Fatherland Liberation War is decorated with the feats of the medics of the Korean People’s Army who
June 27, 2022
The annals of the victorious Fatherland Liberation War is decorated with the feats of the medics of the Korean People’s Army who
A mass rally was held at the plaza in front of the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum in Pyongyang on June 25, the 72nd
June 27, 2022
A mass rally was held at the plaza in front of the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum in Pyongyang on June 25, the 72nd
Leading newspapers of the DPRK on Saturday say that the spirit of defending the country, displayed in the 1950s to resolutely
June 26, 2022
Leading newspapers of the DPRK on Saturday say that the spirit of defending the country, displayed in the 1950s to resolutely
Measures are being taken in the DPRK to completely stamp out the spread of COVID-19, thoroughly prevent the outbreak of various
June 26, 2022
Measures are being taken in the DPRK to completely stamp out the spread of COVID-19, thoroughly prevent the outbreak of various
Shortly ago, the Japanese government announced its intention to increase the amount of missiles and ammunition under the pretext
June 25, 2022
Shortly ago, the Japanese government announced its intention to increase the amount of missiles and ammunition under the pretext
The work for consolidating the material and technical foundations of the anti-epidemic and public health sectors is propelled in
June 25, 2022
The work for consolidating the material and technical foundations of the anti-epidemic and public health sectors is propelled in
Ryongjong Pool is in Ryongjong-ri, Ryongyon County, South Hwanghae Province. The pool is 3 600 square metres in area and 50 metres
June 24, 2022
Ryongjong Pool is in Ryongjong-ri, Ryongyon County, South Hwanghae Province. The pool is 3 600 square metres in area and 50 metres
Chestnut trees can be seen not only in the mountains but also in the compounds of public buildings and around houses in Songchon.
June 24, 2022
Chestnut trees can be seen not only in the mountains but also in the compounds of public buildings and around houses in Songchon.
The Samjiyon Potato Farina Factory in the Pothae area in the city of Samjiyon, Ryanggang Province, one of the largest potato
June 23, 2022
The Samjiyon Potato Farina Factory in the Pothae area in the city of Samjiyon, Ryanggang Province, one of the largest potato
The Korean people have made bean paste from generation after generation and it is different in kind. Among them, ssokjang (ferment
June 23, 2022
The Korean people have made bean paste from generation after generation and it is different in kind. Among them, ssokjang (ferment
Rodong Sinmun Tuesday in an editorial calls for braving hardships by dint of virtues and affection and collectivism and advancing
June 22, 2022
Rodong Sinmun Tuesday in an editorial calls for braving hardships by dint of virtues and affection and collectivism and advancing
Health workers across the DPRK are displaying initiative, responsibility and devotion at the forefront of the emergency
June 22, 2022
Health workers across the DPRK are displaying initiative, responsibility and devotion at the forefront of the emergency
Rodong Sinmun says in an article on Monday that it is the steadfast determination and will of officials and Party members to make
June 21, 2022
Rodong Sinmun says in an article on Monday that it is the steadfast determination and will of officials and Party members to make
A scientific and realistic plan for quickly restoring the anti-epidemic stability has been mapped out and the work for carrying
June 21, 2022
A scientific and realistic plan for quickly restoring the anti-epidemic stability has been mapped out and the work for carrying
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- The Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) is leading the socialist cause of Juche to victory despite all
June 20, 2022
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- The Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) is leading the socialist cause of Juche to victory despite all
The Medical Oxygen Factory in the suburbs of Pyongyang is achieving successes in the production of medical oxygen which are
June 20, 2022
The Medical Oxygen Factory in the suburbs of Pyongyang is achieving successes in the production of medical oxygen which are
Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- Nationwide efforts are made to develop and produce medicines essential for enhancing the state
June 19, 2022
Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- Nationwide efforts are made to develop and produce medicines essential for enhancing the state
Medicines and other relief aids prepared with all sincerity by the officials of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of
June 19, 2022
Medicines and other relief aids prepared with all sincerity by the officials of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of
The Party organizations at all levels in the DPRK intensify their study of the documents of the 5th Plenary Meeting of the 8th
June 18, 2022
The Party organizations at all levels in the DPRK intensify their study of the documents of the 5th Plenary Meeting of the 8th
The anti-epidemic and public health sectors are directing their efforts to establishing more detailed and scientific tactics while
June 18, 2022
The anti-epidemic and public health sectors are directing their efforts to establishing more detailed and scientific tactics while
More Articles