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)
A dance party of women’s union officials and members took place at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph on March 8, marking the 116th
March 10, 2026
A dance party of women’s union officials and members took place at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph on March 8, marking the 116th
The National Inter-provincial Riding Contest-2026 was held at the Mirim Riding Club in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, to
March 10, 2026
The National Inter-provincial Riding Contest-2026 was held at the Mirim Riding Club in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, to
An event took place at the Rungna People’s Sports Park on March 8 to mark the AFC Women’s Football Day.Present there were official
March 10, 2026
An event took place at the Rungna People’s Sports Park on March 8 to mark the AFC Women’s Football Day.Present there were official
Saeppyol Street in the Hwasong area of the capital city of Pyongyang is a monumental architectural group which was built to convey
March 10, 2026
Saeppyol Street in the Hwasong area of the capital city of Pyongyang is a monumental architectural group which was built to convey
A national meeting took place at the People’s Palace of Culture on March 8, marking the 116th anniversary of March 8 International
March 10, 2026
A national meeting took place at the People’s Palace of Culture on March 8, marking the 116th anniversary of March 8 International
In recent years the DPRK has built many monumental edifices such as Hwasong Street, Pothong Riverside Terraced Houses District,
March 10, 2026
In recent years the DPRK has built many monumental edifices such as Hwasong Street, Pothong Riverside Terraced Houses District,
Kumgang Peak is situated south of Chonbul Peak (659 m) of Mt Chilbo in Pochon-ri, Myongchon County, North Hamgyong Province.The ro
March 10, 2026
Kumgang Peak is situated south of Chonbul Peak (659 m) of Mt Chilbo in Pochon-ri, Myongchon County, North Hamgyong Province.The ro
Women across the DPRK commemorated the 116th anniversary of March 8 International Women’s Day.Many people visited the Kumsusan Pal
March 10, 2026
Women across the DPRK commemorated the 116th anniversary of March 8 International Women’s Day.Many people visited the Kumsusan Pal
Enlarged plenary meetings of the Party committees of the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport, the
March 09, 2026
Enlarged plenary meetings of the Party committees of the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport, the
Mass rallies took place in cities and counties of the DPRK on March 6 and 7 to vow to implement the decisions of the Ninth
March 09, 2026
Mass rallies took place in cities and counties of the DPRK on March 6 and 7 to vow to implement the decisions of the Ninth
Janggo is a traditional Korean percussion instrument with a long history.Dating back to the period of Koguryo (277 BC–AD 668), the
March 09, 2026
Janggo is a traditional Korean percussion instrument with a long history.Dating back to the period of Koguryo (277 BC–AD 668), the
New greetings cards reflecting the best wishes, respect, love and affection for women have been produced in the DPRK on the occasi
March 09, 2026
New greetings cards reflecting the best wishes, respect, love and affection for women have been produced in the DPRK on the occasi
The physical constitution institute of Koryo Medicine General Hospital has applied AI technology to develop a new constitution
March 09, 2026
The physical constitution institute of Koryo Medicine General Hospital has applied AI technology to develop a new constitution
Officials and members of the women’s union met with winners of the Communist Mother Honor Prize at the Hall of Women on March 6 i
March 08, 2026
Officials and members of the women’s union met with winners of the Communist Mother Honor Prize at the Hall of Women on March 6 i
Enlarged plenary meetings of Pyongyang municipal and provincial committees of the Workers’ Party of Korea were held on March 5
March 08, 2026
Enlarged plenary meetings of Pyongyang municipal and provincial committees of the Workers’ Party of Korea were held on March 5
Sports and amusement games of women’s union officials and members in the DPRK took place at the Taekwon-Do Palace on March 5 and 6
March 08, 2026
Sports and amusement games of women’s union officials and members in the DPRK took place at the Taekwon-Do Palace on March 5 and 6
When March 8 International Women’s Day was instituted in 1910, Korea was a complete colony of Japan and the Korean women were
March 08, 2026
When March 8 International Women’s Day was instituted in 1910, Korea was a complete colony of Japan and the Korean women were
Pomhyanggi (spring scent) has become a household word in the DPRK. It is a famous brand name of cosmetics. That’s why it reminds
March 08, 2026
Pomhyanggi (spring scent) has become a household word in the DPRK. It is a famous brand name of cosmetics. That’s why it reminds
March 8 International Women’s Day seems to be the day closely related to flowers.On this day flowers and bouquets are prepared acr
March 08, 2026
March 8 International Women’s Day seems to be the day closely related to flowers.On this day flowers and bouquets are prepared acr
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, sent a reply message to To Lam, general secretary of the Central
March 07, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, sent a reply message to To Lam, general secretary of the Central
More Articles
