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 DPRK has long enforced a childcare system in which children are nursed and brought up at nurseries and kindergartens. After
November 17, 2025
The DPRK has long enforced a childcare system in which children are nursed and brought up at nurseries and kindergartens. After
A research group of the Chemical Engineering Faculty of Kim Chaek University of Technology has recently developed an advanced
November 17, 2025
A research group of the Chemical Engineering Faculty of Kim Chaek University of Technology has recently developed an advanced
In 1905 Japan fabricated the Ulsa Five-point Treaty in a bid to establish colonial domination over Korea. Entering the 20th
November 17, 2025
In 1905 Japan fabricated the Ulsa Five-point Treaty in a bid to establish colonial domination over Korea. Entering the 20th
The whole country is extending warm congratulations to the mothers on the occasion of Mother’s Day amid the ongoing campaign to
November 17, 2025
The whole country is extending warm congratulations to the mothers on the occasion of Mother’s Day amid the ongoing campaign to
Farmers of the Songam Farm in Taean District, Nampho Municipality which is located at the gateway to the capital city of the DPRK,
November 17, 2025
Farmers of the Songam Farm in Taean District, Nampho Municipality which is located at the gateway to the capital city of the DPRK,
Modern houses of various styles have been built at the Phosong Farm of the Ryanggang Provincial Rural Economy Committee and at the
November 16, 2025
Modern houses of various styles have been built at the Phosong Farm of the Ryanggang Provincial Rural Economy Committee and at the
The Tourist Souvenir Exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Okryu Exhibition House in the DPRK on November 14. Presented
November 16, 2025
The Tourist Souvenir Exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Okryu Exhibition House in the DPRK on November 14. Presented
November 16 is Mother’s Day in the DPRK. The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung attended the First National Conference of Mothers
November 16, 2025
November 16 is Mother’s Day in the DPRK. The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung attended the First National Conference of Mothers
Tangible results have been achieved in the effort to implement the comprehensive mechanization of the rural economy. For the past
November 16, 2025
Tangible results have been achieved in the effort to implement the comprehensive mechanization of the rural economy. For the past
Songs imbued with love and affection for mothers are widely sung across the country in the run-up to Mother’s Day (November 16).
November 16, 2025
Songs imbued with love and affection for mothers are widely sung across the country in the run-up to Mother’s Day (November 16).
Agricultural workers of the Sangri and Upho stockbreeding farms in Phungso County, Ryanggang Province, the DPRK, moved into new
November 15, 2025
Agricultural workers of the Sangri and Upho stockbreeding farms in Phungso County, Ryanggang Province, the DPRK, moved into new
Early on October 1, 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the rehabilitation site in flood-stricken Kimhwa County,
November 15, 2025
Early on October 1, 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the rehabilitation site in flood-stricken Kimhwa County,
The bell from the Yujom Temple is one of the Korean historical relics, which show the talent of the Korean ancestors. The bell had
November 15, 2025
The bell from the Yujom Temple is one of the Korean historical relics, which show the talent of the Korean ancestors. The bell had
Completed in October 2002, the 150-odd-km-long Kaechon-Lake Thaesong Waterway is a gravitational waterway system for irrigating th
November 15, 2025
Completed in October 2002, the 150-odd-km-long Kaechon-Lake Thaesong Waterway is a gravitational waterway system for irrigating th
Pak Thae Song, premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, met Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister
November 15, 2025
Pak Thae Song, premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, met Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister
Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, was presented with the credentials of
November 15, 2025
Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, was presented with the credentials of
On November 13 Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, visited the Kumsusan Palace of
November 15, 2025
On November 13 Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, visited the Kumsusan Palace of
Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, released the following press statement titled “G7
November 14, 2025
Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, released the following press statement titled “G7
Machine factories across the country have finished the production of equipment for the regional-industry factories to be built
November 14, 2025
Machine factories across the country have finished the production of equipment for the regional-industry factories to be built
The Myohyangsan Pine Tree, named so as it grows in Mt Myohyang, is found in Hyangam-ri, Hyangsan County, Jagang Province.The tree
November 14, 2025
The Myohyangsan Pine Tree, named so as it grows in Mt Myohyang, is found in Hyangam-ri, Hyangsan County, Jagang Province.The tree
More Articles