“Everyday life of the people in the DPRK as I witnessed during my visit to the country was very impressive. Old people were spending a pleasant time dancing or doing exercises on Moran Hill in Pyongyang. It was very interesting to see a Children’s Union member making a deep bow to a grandmother after holding her hand and helping her cross the zebra crossing safely,” said a foreigner in an article contributed to The Straits Times after visiting Pyongyang several years back.

Foreign visitors can see aged people enjoying a happy life in the DPRK.

“There are five things that are really good for us, old people. They are doing exercises to suit our physical conditions, emotional life, chewing food a hundred times, about 10 times of hearty laughter and conducting more than one creative activity every day. I’ve never missed this regimen ever since I retired. To be carried away by happiness while doing exercises at the pleasure grounds or parks built everywhere or seeing sights on picturesque Moran Hill, dancing and talking with other people and feeling warm atmosphere and the vigour of youthful days and to feel the happy family atmosphere back at home—this is the pleasure and everything of my present life. So I love this land which gives me the vigour of life and optimism in the twilight years of my life,” said Pak Kum Ju, an old woman living in Taesong District, Pyongyang.

Old people also live a pleasant life free from worries in the country where the state takes responsible care of the health and life of all people.

The DPRK law on the protection of the aged was adopted and put into effect providing legal guarantee for the position of the old people and the state benefits for them and the state investment in it has increased.

In particular, the state shows greater concern and care for the macrobians and those who have no children to depend on and have troubles in living an independent life. A typical example is the fact that in recent years old people’s homes have been built across the country and the state provides their residents with all conditions needed for their health and life.

As cultural facilities for the aged are distributed rationally in all residential districts and parks, recreation grounds, angling sites, playgrounds and scenic spots are furnished more wonderfully, old people enjoy an emotional life to their heart’s content while conducting artistic, sports and amusement activities, resting at holiday camps and going on sightseeing tours.

They also take an active part in social activities to hand down their creations and experience, national culture and customs to the coming generations and contribute to social development with their knowledge and capacity.

Thanks to the benevolent system which values them as revolutionary seniors who deserve respect from the younger generations, they enjoy their remainder of life in good health.