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)
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
On February 7, 2016, the DPRK launched an earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong 4 and put it into its designated orbit. The
February 07, 2026
On February 7, 2016, the DPRK launched an earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong 4 and put it into its designated orbit. The
Pyongyang municipal industrial design exhibition on the theme of “New era of regional transformation and industrial design”
February 07, 2026
Pyongyang municipal industrial design exhibition on the theme of “New era of regional transformation and industrial design”
Youth and students in Pyongyang met with a war veteran on February 5 to mark the 78th founding anniversary of the Korean
February 07, 2026
Youth and students in Pyongyang met with a war veteran on February 5 to mark the 78th founding anniversary of the Korean
Agricultural workers in the DPRK met with a DPRK hero on February 5 on the occasion of the 78th founding anniversary of the Korean
February 07, 2026
Agricultural workers in the DPRK met with a DPRK hero on February 5 on the occasion of the 78th founding anniversary of the Korean
The Power-driven Machine Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has developed a 15-hp hybrid tractor in keeping with the trend
February 06, 2026
The Power-driven Machine Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has developed a 15-hp hybrid tractor in keeping with the trend
In November 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited regional-industry factories under construction in Songchon County in
February 06, 2026
In November 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited regional-industry factories under construction in Songchon County in
The Hydraulic Engineering Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has established a new technical process of model experiment
February 06, 2026
The Hydraulic Engineering Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has established a new technical process of model experiment
New public and production buildings have appeared at the Taechong Farm in Unpha County, North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK, thus
February 06, 2026
New public and production buildings have appeared at the Taechong Farm in Unpha County, North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK, thus
DPRK players returned home after taking part in the 2026 International Freestyle Wrestling Tournament “Ivan Yarygin Cup” held
February 06, 2026
DPRK players returned home after taking part in the 2026 International Freestyle Wrestling Tournament “Ivan Yarygin Cup” held
The 2026 National Winter Games opened with due ceremony at the ice hockey gymnasium of the Paektusan area sports village in
February 06, 2026
The 2026 National Winter Games opened with due ceremony at the ice hockey gymnasium of the Paektusan area sports village in
Construction projects for 2026 for the regional development policy began with due ceremonies in the area of the Sinuiju Combined
February 05, 2026
Construction projects for 2026 for the regional development policy began with due ceremonies in the area of the Sinuiju Combined
A booth drew unusual attention at the advanced science and technology and products exhibition-2025. At the event, the high-tech pr
February 05, 2026
A booth drew unusual attention at the advanced science and technology and products exhibition-2025. At the event, the high-tech pr
A research team of the Earth Science and Technology Faculty of Kim Chaek University of Technology has developed an outdoor gamma
February 05, 2026
A research team of the Earth Science and Technology Faculty of Kim Chaek University of Technology has developed an outdoor gamma
The astronomical chart carved on a stone was made between the late 5th century and the early 6th century in the period of Koguryo
February 05, 2026
The astronomical chart carved on a stone was made between the late 5th century and the early 6th century in the period of Koguryo
Modern houses have been built at the Kayang Farm in Unnyul County of South Hwanghae Province and the Kyejong Farm in Kumchon
February 04, 2026
Modern houses have been built at the Kayang Farm in Unnyul County of South Hwanghae Province and the Kyejong Farm in Kumchon
A national photo exhibition, “Under the uplifted banner of self-reliance”, opened to celebrate the 84th birth anniversary of
February 04, 2026
A national photo exhibition, “Under the uplifted banner of self-reliance”, opened to celebrate the 84th birth anniversary of
One day in August 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited a flood-hit area in North Phyongan Province. That day he told
February 04, 2026
One day in August 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited a flood-hit area in North Phyongan Province. That day he told
More Articles
