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 Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea invited veteran cadres who had worked for a long time at important posts of
February 26, 2026
The Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea invited veteran cadres who had worked for a long time at important posts of
Remarkable successes have been achieved in the educational sector over the past five years since the Eighth Congress of the
February 26, 2026
Remarkable successes have been achieved in the educational sector over the past five years since the Eighth Congress of the
On February 16, a splendid inauguration ceremony of 10 000 flats at the fourth stage in the Hwasong area was held in the DPRK’s
February 26, 2026
On February 16, a splendid inauguration ceremony of 10 000 flats at the fourth stage in the Hwasong area was held in the DPRK’s
The whole of the DPRK is overflowing with the great joy and strong emotion of the people as they splendidly celebrate the glorious
February 26, 2026
The whole of the DPRK is overflowing with the great joy and strong emotion of the people as they splendidly celebrate the glorious
Celebrated mountains, scenic spots and historical sites and relics in different parts of the DPRK are associated with many myths,
February 26, 2026
Celebrated mountains, scenic spots and historical sites and relics in different parts of the DPRK are associated with many myths,
The 39th Science and Technology Festival of Kim Chaek University of Technology opened in the DPRK. The festival’s theme is
February 26, 2026
The 39th Science and Technology Festival of Kim Chaek University of Technology opened in the DPRK. The festival’s theme is
The 14th Asian Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships took place in India from October 31 to November 2 last year. DPRK players Ro Hye
February 26, 2026
The 14th Asian Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships took place in India from October 31 to November 2 last year. DPRK players Ro Hye
The DPRK has greeted a new history of comprehensive prosperity, both in the capital city and provinces and in towns and
February 25, 2026
The DPRK has greeted a new history of comprehensive prosperity, both in the capital city and provinces and in towns and
The following happened when the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the completed Pyongyang General Hospital in February 2025.
February 25, 2026
The following happened when the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the completed Pyongyang General Hospital in February 2025.
Every year the IT industry of the DPRK selects the nation’s top-level computer programmers. Among those designated last year was
February 25, 2026
Every year the IT industry of the DPRK selects the nation’s top-level computer programmers. Among those designated last year was
The Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea continues discussion in a responsible manner. Members of the Presidium of the
February 25, 2026
The Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea continues discussion in a responsible manner. Members of the Presidium of the
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, received a congratulatory message from Xi Jinping, general
February 25, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, received a congratulatory message from Xi Jinping, general
Staff members of the Russian embassy in the DPRK laid a wreath before the Liberation Tower on February 23 to mark the Day of
February 25, 2026
Staff members of the Russian embassy in the DPRK laid a wreath before the Liberation Tower on February 23 to mark the Day of
Charge d’Affaires ad Interim Vladimir Topeha and Defence Attaché Alexei Bartusov of the Russian embassy in the DPRK gave a
February 25, 2026
Charge d’Affaires ad Interim Vladimir Topeha and Defence Attaché Alexei Bartusov of the Russian embassy in the DPRK gave a
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
February 25, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, received a congratulatory message from Thongloun Sisoulith,
February 25, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, received a congratulatory message from Thongloun Sisoulith,
Third, the theory of the comprehensive socialist development is characterized by the sustainability of the overall rejuvenation
February 25, 2026
Third, the theory of the comprehensive socialist development is characterized by the sustainability of the overall rejuvenation
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, received a congratulatory message from To Lam, general secretary
February 25, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, received a congratulatory message from To Lam, general secretary
In the DPRK, there is a convoy carrying fishes across the country. The convoy transports fishes to the orphanages, baby homes,
February 24, 2026
In the DPRK, there is a convoy carrying fishes across the country. The convoy transports fishes to the orphanages, baby homes,
On January 7, 2025 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un attended the inauguration ceremony of regional-industry factories in Jaeryong
February 24, 2026
On January 7, 2025 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un attended the inauguration ceremony of regional-industry factories in Jaeryong
More Articles
