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
The Mexican president rejected the US’ attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of her country at a press conference on Januar
January 11, 2026
The Mexican president rejected the US’ attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of her country at a press conference on Januar
Han Yong Sun, winner of the Communist Mother Honour Prize living in Musan County of North Hamgyong Province, was a well-known
January 11, 2026
Han Yong Sun, winner of the Communist Mother Honour Prize living in Musan County of North Hamgyong Province, was a well-known
The General Association of Koreans in China held celebrations on the occasion of the New Year 2026. Officials and members of the
January 11, 2026
The General Association of Koreans in China held celebrations on the occasion of the New Year 2026. Officials and members of the
Cement production units in the DPRK have increased production since the beginning of the year. The Sangwon Cement Complex carried
January 11, 2026
Cement production units in the DPRK have increased production since the beginning of the year. The Sangwon Cement Complex carried
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a flower basket to Thongloun Sisoulith, who was reelected as general secretary of the
January 11, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a flower basket to Thongloun Sisoulith, who was reelected as general secretary of the
The right to existence of the working masses is being trampled down in Western countries. In December last year, farmers from
January 10, 2026
The right to existence of the working masses is being trampled down in Western countries. In December last year, farmers from
Bloody, violent crimes occurred in succession in Western countries around New Year’s Day.A man in his 20s brandished a knife to ca
January 10, 2026
Bloody, violent crimes occurred in succession in Western countries around New Year’s Day.A man in his 20s brandished a knife to ca
Photo exhibitions "Ushering in an era of gigantic transformation for comprehensive development of Korean-style socialism" were
January 10, 2026
Photo exhibitions "Ushering in an era of gigantic transformation for comprehensive development of Korean-style socialism" were
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, sent a message of greeting to Thongloun Sisoulith, general
January 10, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, sent a message of greeting to Thongloun Sisoulith, general
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
January 10, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
New houses have appeared at the Sinphung and Yongjung farms in Sinpho City and at the Namhoe Farm in Hongwon County of South
January 10, 2026
New houses have appeared at the Sinphung and Yongjung farms in Sinpho City and at the Namhoe Farm in Hongwon County of South
In 2025, the DPRK made positive efforts to develop sports and make them mass-based.Fierce gamesAs in 2024, many sports games held
January 09, 2026
In 2025, the DPRK made positive efforts to develop sports and make them mass-based.Fierce gamesAs in 2024, many sports games held
Today, the multipolarization of the world has become the main trend of the international community. The influence of BRICS is
January 09, 2026
Today, the multipolarization of the world has become the main trend of the international community. The influence of BRICS is
A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of China at a press conference on December 31 last year accused the Western countries of
January 09, 2026
A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of China at a press conference on December 31 last year accused the Western countries of
The Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement on January 1 strongly denounced the terrorist act of Ukraine against peaceful inhabita
January 09, 2026
The Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement on January 1 strongly denounced the terrorist act of Ukraine against peaceful inhabita
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a reply letter to Vladimir
January 09, 2026
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a reply letter to Vladimir
Modern houses have been built at the Chilgol Vegetable Farm in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, and public and production
January 09, 2026
Modern houses have been built at the Chilgol Vegetable Farm in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, and public and production
Review of exhibitions held in 2025 In 2025, various exhibitions took place in large numbers in the fields of light industry and
January 09, 2026
Review of exhibitions held in 2025 In 2025, various exhibitions took place in large numbers in the fields of light industry and
More than 40 finishing building-materials production bases were built and over 60 similar bases updated last year, thanks to the
January 09, 2026
More than 40 finishing building-materials production bases were built and over 60 similar bases updated last year, thanks to the
Practising economy arises as an urgent matter as the economy develops. In order for economy to produce a great result in the
January 09, 2026
Practising economy arises as an urgent matter as the economy develops. In order for economy to produce a great result in the
More Articles
