In Mangyongdae-dong, Mangyongdae District in the capital city of Pyongyang lives an old man called “bee grandpa” and “bee expert.”
He is Ri Son who turns 72 this year.
Looking more than 10 years younger than his peers, the still sprightly man is busy keeping bees and writing books.
His books like Longevity and Honey and Longevity and Bee Pollen are gaining good feedback from the audience.
His familiarity with beekeeping began over 10 years ago when he retired.
While reading a newspaper, he came across the fact that a local honey product ranked first in the world’s leading honey producers’ products in the category of honey quality. He was so excited.
“I’ll have a try. I cannot only enjoy the benefits of the benevolent system. I’d like to produce honey myself and do a good job to the benefit of people,” he told himself.
So he took on bee farming.
He visited the Grand People’s Study House and met veteran beekeepers to acquire a wide range of knowledge and expertise. This made him convinced that he could keep bees if he intends to do so.
He spent almost half a year in the fields following the blossoms. And he found that the world of bees consists of honey, royal jelly, propolis, pollen, larva and wax and these are so good for human health and longevity. He invested much energy into beekeeping.
His dedication was not only to bee farming.
With the help of experts, he improvised new devices to identify bees and measure the sugar rate of honey to the surprise and admiration of beekeepers.
He donated lots of honey to hospitals in the city two years ago, and provided various kinds of honey products to the Pyongyang Baby Home on International Children’s Day last year.
Ri Son said that honey output is increasing year on year and its quality is excellent.
Ko Chol Hwa
More From Naenara (En)
The Song and Dance Ensemble of the Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK gave a music and dance performance at the Ponghwa Art
February 10, 2026
The Song and Dance Ensemble of the Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK gave a music and dance performance at the Ponghwa Art
Greeting Army Founding Day, a proud holiday of socialist Korea, all the service personnel and people pay the highest tribute to
February 10, 2026
Greeting Army Founding Day, a proud holiday of socialist Korea, all the service personnel and people pay the highest tribute to
Officials, service personnel, working people, youth and students in the DPRK visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and
February 10, 2026
Officials, service personnel, working people, youth and students in the DPRK visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and
Regional construction for this year has been launched across the DPRK in a three-dimensional way and on a full scale,
February 10, 2026
Regional construction for this year has been launched across the DPRK in a three-dimensional way and on a full scale,
Dance parties of youth and students were held in the DPRK on February 8, the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Korean
February 10, 2026
Dance parties of youth and students were held in the DPRK on February 8, the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Korean
A dance party of women’s union officials and members was held at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang on February 8, the
February 10, 2026
A dance party of women’s union officials and members was held at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang on February 8, the
This year’s February 8 marks the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army, the revolutionary regular armed
February 10, 2026
This year’s February 8 marks the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army, the revolutionary regular armed
All the people and service personnel of the DPRK significantly celebrated the 78th founding anniversary of the Korean People’s
February 10, 2026
All the people and service personnel of the DPRK significantly celebrated the 78th founding anniversary of the Korean People’s
People’s delegations, composed of Party and government officials and officials of ministries, national agencies and regional Party
February 10, 2026
People’s delegations, composed of Party and government officials and officials of ministries, national agencies and regional Party
Preparations are now under way in the DPRK to successfully hold the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which will
February 09, 2026
Preparations are now under way in the DPRK to successfully hold the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which will
Groundbreaking ceremonies of construction projects for this year for the regional development policy were held in Sinphyong and
February 09, 2026
Groundbreaking ceremonies of construction projects for this year for the regional development policy were held in Sinphyong and
Ground-breaking ceremonies took place respectively in Songhwa County, a granary on the west coast, Musan County and Taean District
February 08, 2026
Ground-breaking ceremonies took place respectively in Songhwa County, a granary on the west coast, Musan County and Taean District
The Ice Sculpture Festival-2026 in celebration of February 16, birthday of Chairman Kim Jong Il , is now going on with splendour
February 08, 2026
The Ice Sculpture Festival-2026 in celebration of February 16, birthday of Chairman Kim Jong Il , is now going on with splendour
The 2026 winter aesthetic symposium in the field of land and environment protection took place at the Sci-Tech Complex in
February 08, 2026
The 2026 winter aesthetic symposium in the field of land and environment protection took place at the Sci-Tech Complex in
A KCNA journalist met officials of the organizing committee of the Third People’s Art Festival for Celebrating February 16, birthd
February 08, 2026
A KCNA journalist met officials of the organizing committee of the Third People’s Art Festival for Celebrating February 16, birthd
The Korean People’s Army was founded on February 8, 1948 as the DPRK’s revolutionary regular armed forces. On the historic
February 08, 2026
The Korean People’s Army was founded on February 8, 1948 as the DPRK’s revolutionary regular armed forces. On the historic
The Korean People’s Army is called by various other names: “Heroic KPA,” “Invincible Revolutionary Armed Forces” and
February 08, 2026
The Korean People’s Army is called by various other names: “Heroic KPA,” “Invincible Revolutionary Armed Forces” and
Inhabitants of Ragwon County, widely known throughout the DPRK along with Ragwonpho associated with the legend of great love,
February 07, 2026
Inhabitants of Ragwon County, widely known throughout the DPRK along with Ragwonpho associated with the legend of great love,
The “Farm Machines Development-2025” is going on with splendour at the Three-Revolution Exhibition House. On display at the
February 07, 2026
The “Farm Machines Development-2025” is going on with splendour at the Three-Revolution Exhibition House. On display at the
A meeting of workers and trade union members to hear impressions of the reminiscences on the virtues of the peerlessly great men
February 07, 2026
A meeting of workers and trade union members to hear impressions of the reminiscences on the virtues of the peerlessly great men
More Articles
