December 19, 2025Dec 19, 2025
KCNA Pyongyang Times

Burning life like candle for decades

Date: 12/08/2024 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

Pak Ho Chol, head of the West Pyongyang Locomotive Corps, is one of those honest people who shoulder the heavy burden of the country by themselves and faithfully follow the road of patriotism.

He was appointed head of the West Pyongyang Locomotive Corps in early spring over 20 years ago.

Though he was diagnosed with a fatal disease by which others might have fallen long ago, Pak got up and burnt his body like a candle for over 20 years with a strong will, turning the locomotive corps into a group of innovators in the rail transport sector.

For man, it is easier said than done to rush at life without rest and stop.

But as he regarded patriotism as his lifetime motto and was determined not to fall before fulfilling his responsibility and duty, Pak worked hard to revitalize his unit  step by step, while combating the severe disease that tormented him so much.

He started his social life at the West Pyongyang Locomotive Corps. After graduating from then Pyongyang University of Railways, he performed several jobs in the railways sector and then was promoted to head of the West Pyongyang Locomotive Corps.

But his old workplace, to which he returned after 10 years, lagged far behind the developing reality.

He remodelled equipment together with technicians and skilled workers to upgrade the backward factory and worked without rest to give the corps a facelift. He exchanged opinions open-mindedly with employees, willingly went on the trips of freight transport together with engine drivers and repaired locomotives in the field with workers to find the ways to revitalize the unit.

“The word ‘human bomb’ is not only used in battlegrounds where hails of bullets fall. We cannot but compare the life he has lived for over 20 years, rushing at life with determination not to be afraid of death if it were for the prosperity of the country, to the word ‘human bomb’,” said an official of the West Pyongyang Locomotive Corps.

Thanks to his painstaking efforts, creative thinking and great zeal, the locomotive corps began to breathe life into revitalization, equipping itself with facilities needed for repair and maintenance of locomotives and replacing old single-storey buildings with new several-storey ones.

It also built a base in which it can make middle repair and overhaul of locomotives properly and became a group of persons of ability in the rail transport sector.

Today, the West Pyongyang Locomotive Corps undertakes the repair of locomotives of other units though it is not its duty, while overfulfilling its own national economic plan, the number of locomotives accounting for nearly half of the annual work done by it. It is just a group of patriots who always think of national interests first beyond the small fence of their unit and take the lead in relieving the burden of the country and Pak Ho Chol always stands in the van.

More From Pyongyang Times

Chinese FM spokesman denounces Japan’s moves to revive militarism

Chinese FM spokesman denounces Japan’s moves to revive militarism

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned Japan for its moves to revive militarism at a press conference on December

December 18, 2025

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned Japan for its moves to revive militarism at a press conference on December

Exhibition highlights diversification of products

Exhibition highlights diversification of products

The exhibition of products of Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories-2025 took place at the Okryu Exhibition House from November

December 18, 2025

The exhibition of products of Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories-2025 took place at the Okryu Exhibition House from November

Regional-industry factories in Hwangju County inaugurated

Regional-industry factories in Hwangju County inaugurated

The ardent desire of the Central Committee of the great Workers' Party of Korea has brought about stirring events in different

December 18, 2025

The ardent desire of the Central Committee of the great Workers' Party of Korea has brought about stirring events in different

By building up strong talent force

By building up strong talent force

Our factory has received numerous certificates of scientific and technological achievements at various festivals, exhibitions and

December 18, 2025

Our factory has received numerous certificates of scientific and technological achievements at various festivals, exhibitions and

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visits Kumsusan Palace of Sun

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visits Kumsusan Palace of Sun

All the people including service personnel across the DPRK are paying the highest tribute to Chairman Kim Jong Il with boundless

December 17, 2025

All the people including service personnel across the DPRK are paying the highest tribute to Chairman Kim Jong Il with boundless

Chairman Kim Jong Il ’s outlook on life

Chairman Kim Jong Il ’s outlook on life

This year marks the 14th anniversary of the demise of Chairman Kim Jong Il.On this occasion the DPRK people recollect the noble ou

December 17, 2025

This year marks the 14th anniversary of the demise of Chairman Kim Jong Il.On this occasion the DPRK people recollect the noble ou

New regional-industry factories built in Sinyang County

New regional-industry factories built in Sinyang County

Regional-industry factories have been built in inland mountainous Sinyang County to fundamentally improve the quality of the

December 17, 2025

Regional-industry factories have been built in inland mountainous Sinyang County to fundamentally improve the quality of the

Russian president refers to state economic development

Russian president refers to state economic development

Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the issue of state economic development in a state planning and strategic development

December 16, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the issue of state economic development in a state planning and strategic development

News of 2025-2026 DPRK Premier League

News of 2025-2026 DPRK Premier League

The 2025-2026 DPRK men’s and women’s premier leagues started amid high expectations and interest of soccer experts and fans.

December 16, 2025

The 2025-2026 DPRK men’s and women’s premier leagues started amid high expectations and interest of soccer experts and fans.

Expressions representing the times

Expressions representing the times

The Korean people call the present times the golden age of construction and the new era of comprehensive development of socialism.

December 16, 2025

The Korean people call the present times the golden age of construction and the new era of comprehensive development of socialism.

New houses built in South Hamgyong Province

New houses built in South Hamgyong Province

Modern houses have been built at Majon and Naeho farms in Hamhung City and the Paeksang Farm in Pujon County of South Hamgyong

December 16, 2025

Modern houses have been built at Majon and Naeho farms in Hamhung City and the Paeksang Farm in Pujon County of South Hamgyong

Pharmaceutical factories modernized in South Phyongan Province

Pharmaceutical factories modernized in South Phyongan Province

South Phyongan Province has modernized the city and county Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories. Jungsan County worked out a

December 16, 2025

South Phyongan Province has modernized the city and county Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories. Jungsan County worked out a

Hoeguksu, national ICH element

Hoeguksu, national ICH element

Hoeguksu or noodles with seasoned sliced raw fish was relished by people in the coastal areas. Through a long historical course,

December 16, 2025

Hoeguksu or noodles with seasoned sliced raw fish was relished by people in the coastal areas. Through a long historical course,

Resident UN offices lay flower baskets at statues of great leaders

Resident UN offices lay flower baskets at statues of great leaders

Baskets of flowers in the name of the UN resident coordinator office and the missions of UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, WFP and WHO in

December 15, 2025

Baskets of flowers in the name of the UN resident coordinator office and the missions of UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, WFP and WHO in

Hungarian PM warns of danger from Ukraine’s entry to EU

Hungarian PM warns of danger from Ukraine’s entry to EU

The Hungarian prime minister warned that Ukraine’s accession to the EU might cause danger through an SNS on December 8.Referring t

December 15, 2025

The Hungarian prime minister warned that Ukraine’s accession to the EU might cause danger through an SNS on December 8.Referring t

More Articles