In Pyongyang, there is a woman who has worked unassumingly at a most unattractive job for decades.
Kim Chon Hui has been a sewage dredger at the Phyongchon District Water Supply and Sewerage Management Station for nearly 30 years.
As she joined the station in 1993, she voluntarily became a sewage dredger.
“My father who was a war veteran also worked at a demanding job for a long time. He took pride in devoting himself to the people and society. So, he enjoyed public respect and appreciation. I also wanted to live like my father,” said Kim when asked what inspired her to choose such a labour-consuming job as a woman.
Though she was a married woman who had to take care of parents-in-law and children, she worked hard to acquaint herself with the sewer network of the area in her charge.
In the course of this, she became a skilled worker who got fully familiar with the condition of the sewers assigned to her workteam.
She always carries around a rough sketch of the sewers which shows in detail the parts that are defective and need to be maintained properly or repaired immediately.
One spring, her work-team was charged with an urgent task of repairing defective sewers in an area.
It was a difficult work which had to be carried out at dawn when the residents are fast asleep.
At that time, Kim asked to give her the task and flawlessly completed it by dint of good workmanship along with other members of her workteam.
It was one early rainy morning that her teammates saw a dripping figure coming out of a manhole as they rushed to a crossroads section which used to cause troubles whenever it rained heavily.
“She was Chon Hui, of course,” said Kim To Yon, a long-time workmate of hers. “She calmed us down saying there was nothing to worry about any more. She has always lived and worked like this.”
Every time a challenging job was assigned to the team, she would do the work of two or three. That is why she is called the treasure of the workteam.
Her workplace is under the ground and her work is invisible to others.
However, all the residents of her district know her and respect her.
“Whenever they acknowledge me calling me ‘mother’, I feel happy and contented. It pleases me to think that people need me and I relieve them of their worries even a little,” said Kim Chon Hui.
More From Pyongyang Times
As regards the fact that the US recently decided to move its aircraft carrier from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean Sea, the
October 29, 2025
As regards the fact that the US recently decided to move its aircraft carrier from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean Sea, the
DPRK player Pak Kyong Song lifted 112kg in snatch (new record of the games) and won a gold medal in the men's 56kg category at the
October 29, 2025
DPRK player Pak Kyong Song lifted 112kg in snatch (new record of the games) and won a gold medal in the men's 56kg category at the
The United States enforced sanctions on Colombia on October 24. It found fault with the latter’s rejection of its demand for
October 29, 2025
The United States enforced sanctions on Colombia on October 24. It found fault with the latter’s rejection of its demand for
International efforts are being intensified to solve food problem. The 80th Session of the UN General Assembly discussed
October 29, 2025
International efforts are being intensified to solve food problem. The 80th Session of the UN General Assembly discussed
The 18th Pyongyang International Film Festival closed at the Pyongyang International Cinema House on October 27. Present at the
October 29, 2025
The 18th Pyongyang International Film Festival closed at the Pyongyang International Cinema House on October 27. Present at the
Modern dwelling houses have been built in Chilhyang-ri, Orang County, North Hamgyong Province, this year again after last year.
October 29, 2025
Modern dwelling houses have been built in Chilhyang-ri, Orang County, North Hamgyong Province, this year again after last year.
The 17th Pyongyang Autumn International Trade Fair opened in the DPRK. Presented to the fair were tens of thousands of products of
October 29, 2025
The 17th Pyongyang Autumn International Trade Fair opened in the DPRK. Presented to the fair were tens of thousands of products of
Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and premier
October 29, 2025
Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and premier
The whole countryside is turning into a socialist paradise day by day. New public and production buildings have been built at the
October 29, 2025
The whole countryside is turning into a socialist paradise day by day. New public and production buildings have been built at the
Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, who is on a visit to the Russian Federation at the
October 29, 2025
Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, who is on a visit to the Russian Federation at the
Venezuela is one of the world’s leading oil producers and exporters. The country is rich in underground resources including
October 28, 2025
Venezuela is one of the world’s leading oil producers and exporters. The country is rich in underground resources including
Sergey Narishkin, director of the Russian external intelligence agency, denounced the war moves of the West in a consultative meet
October 28, 2025
Sergey Narishkin, director of the Russian external intelligence agency, denounced the war moves of the West in a consultative meet
New villages were built at the Nongsadong Farm and the Hongam Farm of Taehongdan County in Ryanggang Province. Present at the
October 28, 2025
New villages were built at the Nongsadong Farm and the Hongam Farm of Taehongdan County in Ryanggang Province. Present at the
National intangible cultural heritage elements were newly registered in August. Custom of moving into new house It is a
October 28, 2025
National intangible cultural heritage elements were newly registered in August. Custom of moving into new house It is a
The drive for economy is being dynamically carried on throughout the country. Economy is an important way to maximize production
October 28, 2025
The drive for economy is being dynamically carried on throughout the country. Economy is an important way to maximize production
The Taean Heavy Machine Complex was selected as one of top 10 businesses for 2024 as it completed the huge task of manufacturing
October 28, 2025
The Taean Heavy Machine Complex was selected as one of top 10 businesses for 2024 as it completed the huge task of manufacturing
The 2025 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup is now underway in Morocco. Divided into six groups, the teams competed in league matches and
October 27, 2025
The 2025 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup is now underway in Morocco. Divided into six groups, the teams competed in league matches and
The DPRK players bagged seven medals including three golds at the 2025 World Wrestling Championship in Croatia in September. Han
October 27, 2025
The DPRK players bagged seven medals including three golds at the 2025 World Wrestling Championship in Croatia in September. Han
DPRK athlete Kang Ryon Hui won a gold medal at the Third Asian Youth Games being held in Bahrain. The Games brought together more
October 27, 2025
DPRK athlete Kang Ryon Hui won a gold medal at the Third Asian Youth Games being held in Bahrain. The Games brought together more
Russia recently conducted a military exercise involving ground, maritime and air elements of its strategic nuclear force under the
October 27, 2025
Russia recently conducted a military exercise involving ground, maritime and air elements of its strategic nuclear force under the
More Articles
