A Korean saying goes that fish in the water are not conscious that they are living in water.
This is true of the families of Ri Ki Il and his seven siblings.
Ri Ki Il who works at the Intellectual Property Rights Administration says that up until a few years ago he had no idea of how many in their families graduated from university or college.
Ri and his seven siblings, as well as their spouses all attended universities or colleges. And the number of graduates is increasing among their children. Once his youngest daughter Ri Son Hyang, a student at Kim Chaek University of Technology, told him that she guessed university or college graduates might exceed 40 among her relatives.
“40? Really?” he shook his head.
He took out a large sheet of paper and began to jot down the names of his brothers and sisters and calculate the number of graduates in each family. His eldest brother’s family has eight graduates, his second brother’s six, his second sister’s 4, and so on. Putting the numbers together, he was wide-eyed at the total number of 48.
Given that his eldest daughter and others attended two universities, the number would increase to 51. Among them are scientists, teachers, army and public security officers, journalists, financial workers, sportspersons, inventors and academic degree holders.
Ri’s parents worked as day labourers before the country’s liberation (August 15, 1945).
After the liberation, they could study at adults’ schools and their four children enrolled at school all at once.
His father often said to his children that they were fortunate enough to learn how to read and write the Korean language and history at their heart’s content.
Once his second elder brother visited a foreign country.
While in interview, he said to foreign scholars that dozens of his family members were university or college graduates. His foreign partners told him it seemed that his family was so rich. But when they were told that all of his brothers and sisters and their children had studied free of charge and rather received scholarships from the state, they found it hard to believe it.
His parents could not afford to go to school before the country’s liberation, but members of his and his siblings’ families have graduated from universities or colleges. This is an example of the Korean people who are learning to their heart’s content under the socialist system, training themselves to be intelligent workers in the new era.
Ko Chol Hwa
More From Naenara (En)
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
One day in December 2025, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited regional- industry factories in Sinyang County nearing
February 04, 2026
One day in December 2025, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited regional- industry factories in Sinyang County nearing
Korea has 24 seasonal subdivisions based on the 24-part division of the earth’s orbit around the sun. February has two
February 04, 2026
Korea has 24 seasonal subdivisions based on the 24-part division of the earth’s orbit around the sun. February has two
Hwang Tok Man, PhD, Prof. and researcher of the Life Science Faculty of Kim Il Sung University has established a new method of
February 04, 2026
Hwang Tok Man, PhD, Prof. and researcher of the Life Science Faculty of Kim Il Sung University has established a new method of
The Ryonggang County Hospital opened on February 1. On hearing the news of the opening of the hospital, many residents in the
February 03, 2026
The Ryonggang County Hospital opened on February 1. On hearing the news of the opening of the hospital, many residents in the
The Hwangchoryong Spring Water Bottling Factory has been built in South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The factory with automated
February 03, 2026
The Hwangchoryong Spring Water Bottling Factory has been built in South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The factory with automated
One day in April 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Hwasong Taedonggang Beer House on Rimhung Street prior to its
February 03, 2026
One day in April 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Hwasong Taedonggang Beer House on Rimhung Street prior to its
South Hamgyong Province’s Kumya County has a wide expanse of wetland areas rich in water resources, plants and animals, which
February 03, 2026
South Hamgyong Province’s Kumya County has a wide expanse of wetland areas rich in water resources, plants and animals, which
More Articles
