“It is raining ceaselessly on the Pothong Plain. Today is the day of the final charge of the patriotic project for the Pothong River improvement, an undertaking of historic significance. The 10-day heavy rainfall has turned the construction site into muck and mire. Nevertheless, the final charge was launched solemnly. ...”
This is an excerpt from an article carried on Jongno (what is now Rodong Sinmun ) one July day in Juche 35 (1946).
The Pothong River improvement project was the first large-scale nature-harnessing work in Korea after its liberation from the Japanese military rule on August 15, 1945.
For decades the river had inflicted great disasters and misfortunes on the Korean people, who called it a river of tears and grudge. In 1923 alone, the river flooded the houses that amounted to half of the total households in Pyongyang.
President Kim Il Sung proposed improving the river and led the efforts to this end in a bid to put an early end to the bitter history of the river.
The project was an uphill task that required clearing over 700 000 cubic metres of earth and building banks in the sections running a total length of 5 000 metres before the rainy season.
On May 21, Juche 35 (1946), Kim Il Sung attended its ground-breaking ceremony to pick up the first spadeful of earth.
Addressing the event, he said that we should accomplish such project one by one by our own efforts, even though we have to tighten our belts, and that we should not hope somebody else would do this work but do it by ourselves and overcome all hardships arising in the project by our own efforts.
In hearty response to his call, Pyongyang citizens turned out as one to dig water channels and build up embankments in high spirits.
They built a makeshift suspension bridge to cut the time of getting to and from the workplace for dining. Not content with this, they worked overtime after their shifts. Farmers carried earth diligently by using A-frame carriers, with some transporting seven cubic metres of earth a day by an ox-cart. Merchants used their bicycles to raise the carrying efficiency.
Thanks to their patriotic zeal, the project was completed in a matter of 55 days, and it marked a prelude to the Korean people’s heroic struggle to transform nature in all parts of the country.
Ham Kwang Hyok
More From Naenara (En)
One day in last August the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the completed Ragwon County Offshore Farm and the modern
September 17, 2025
One day in last August the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the completed Ragwon County Offshore Farm and the modern
The functional socks produced by the Pyongyang Hosiery Factory are growing in popularity. The research team of the factory newly
September 17, 2025
The functional socks produced by the Pyongyang Hosiery Factory are growing in popularity. The research team of the factory newly
New houses have been built at the Yonghung Farm in Sijung County of Jagang Province of the DPRK. The new cozy and modern houses,
September 17, 2025
New houses have been built at the Yonghung Farm in Sijung County of Jagang Province of the DPRK. The new cozy and modern houses,
The DPRK is growing stronger in the fierce confrontation between socialism and anti-socialism. The country is steering the cause
September 17, 2025
The DPRK is growing stronger in the fierce confrontation between socialism and anti-socialism. The country is steering the cause
Cultural heritage items are a pride of the Korean people and valuable wealth of the country. Recently 17 items in the DPRK have
September 17, 2025
Cultural heritage items are a pride of the Korean people and valuable wealth of the country. Recently 17 items in the DPRK have
In Korean history there are many scientists and technicians who contributed to enriching the treasure house of human culture with
September 17, 2025
In Korean history there are many scientists and technicians who contributed to enriching the treasure house of human culture with
At present climate change which brings about catastrophic weather patterns including high temperature, drought, flood, extreme
September 16, 2025
At present climate change which brings about catastrophic weather patterns including high temperature, drought, flood, extreme
True to the regional development policy of the Workers’ Party of Korea, different parts of the country are directing efforts to
September 16, 2025
True to the regional development policy of the Workers’ Party of Korea, different parts of the country are directing efforts to
The following happened in September 2013 when the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Hero Mu Islet-defending Unit after his
September 16, 2025
The following happened in September 2013 when the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Hero Mu Islet-defending Unit after his
High-handed and arbitrary practices by imperialists are getting ever more outrageous in the international arena. In recent years,
September 16, 2025
High-handed and arbitrary practices by imperialists are getting ever more outrageous in the international arena. In recent years,
September 16 is International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. The ozone layer of the atmosphere protects living
September 16, 2025
September 16 is International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. The ozone layer of the atmosphere protects living
Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, issued on September 13 the
September 15, 2025
Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, issued on September 13 the
The fittings and fixtures produced by the building materials manufactory of the Ulmilbong Trading Company are gaining popularity.
September 15, 2025
The fittings and fixtures produced by the building materials manufactory of the Ulmilbong Trading Company are gaining popularity.
Pak Jong Chon, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, on September 13 issued the
September 15, 2025
Pak Jong Chon, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, on September 13 issued the
Many days have passed since the inauguration of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area on the east coast of Korea. On the Kalma
September 15, 2025
Many days have passed since the inauguration of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area on the east coast of Korea. On the Kalma
A symposium on promoting environmentally sound management of plastic waste took place in Pyongyang on August 27 under the
September 15, 2025
A symposium on promoting environmentally sound management of plastic waste took place in Pyongyang on August 27 under the
At present the earth is indiscriminately harassed by frequent spells of heatwave, drought, flood, hurricane and other extreme
September 15, 2025
At present the earth is indiscriminately harassed by frequent spells of heatwave, drought, flood, hurricane and other extreme
A meeting of service personnel of the Ministry of Public Security was held on the top of Mt Paektu, the sacred mountain of the
September 14, 2025
A meeting of service personnel of the Ministry of Public Security was held on the top of Mt Paektu, the sacred mountain of the
Educational units at all levels in the DPRK have applied profitable and advantageous educational aid programs to teaching
September 13, 2025
Educational units at all levels in the DPRK have applied profitable and advantageous educational aid programs to teaching
The US-led hostile forces are desperately resorting to the strengthening of the military cooperation on the assumption that
September 13, 2025
The US-led hostile forces are desperately resorting to the strengthening of the military cooperation on the assumption that
More Articles
