Following the record downpour late in July that flooded some parts of North Phyongan Province’s Sinuiju City and Uiju County, and Jagang and Ryanggang provinces, over 13 000 adults and children among the flood victims were brought to the capital city of Pyongyang, where they spent 130 days enjoying special treatment and hospitality under the care of the Party and the State. Now they have returned to their rebuilt villages and settled in splendid new houses.

The following is what some of them said in an interview in Pyongyang.

Tours

“From the day we arrived in Pyongyang, we have taken plenty of experience and that has left us unforgettable memories of a lifetime.”

“The best memories are about the tours of the Yangdok Hot Spring Resort, Munsu Water Park, Rungna People’s Recreation Ground and Chongnyu Health Complex. Everywhere we went, citizens gave a hearty welcome to us.”

“We visited many places in Pyongyang, such as the Korean Revolution Museum, Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, Central Zoo, Natural History Museum, East Pyongyang Grand Theatre, Hwasong Street and Ryomyong Street. We also toured Mts Kumgang, Myohyang and Kuwol and other scenic areas and enjoyed socialist civilization while watching art performances at renowned theatres.”

Schools and Kindergartens

“Educational facilities for schoolchildren at all levels and kindergarteners have been set up in the lodgings. Temporary mobile teaching squads consisting of competent teachers in Pyongyang were responsible for our classes and extracurricular activities.”

“We have studied to our heart’s content in such an environment that teaching aids and experimental apparatuses are fully provided. The State has repeatedly supplied us uniforms, satchels, notebooks, pencils, shoes and others, enough to be used back home.”

“We had a good time at the Mangyongdae Children’s Camp together with those from Pyongyang. We were attracted by their good moral traits. We were so reluctant to say goodbye to each other that we exchanged addresses and promised to become successful persons and meet again.”

“During their stay in Pyongyang several senior middle school students took entrance exams for Kim Il Sung University and Kim Chaek University of Technology, and over 70% of the students finished their courses summa cum laude.”

“Back at home children had been supplied with dairy products by the State. Such benefit was the same in Pyongyang.”

Dining Halls

“We were provided with nutritious meals every day. We’d like to extend our gratitude to cooks and attendants for preparing delicious meals for us. We were told that the Party paid attention to the menu of each meal for us.”

“I turned 70 in August, and I did not think of celebrating my birthday here. But the State arranged a big spread for me. Many others were also honoured on their 60th, 70th and 80th birthdays. Toddlers were given a spread on their first birth anniversaries.”

Lodgings

“The April 25 Hostel and the military parade training base where we are staying are habitable, and they resemble a scenic resort. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un came here twice to learn about our living conditions, and we heard that he asked cadres to ensure we feel no inconvenience in everyday life.”

“Almost all seniors in the afflicted areas came to Pyongyang. We greatly enjoyed this year’s International Day of Older Persons. Indeed, we feel ten years younger.”

“I had long suffered from arthritis. As I got older, I found it harder to walk without support. But I greatly benefited this time from the competent doctors of the mobile medical team deployed at our lodgings. Their devotion and skills are marvellous. Many others had their unknown diseases found and cured.”

“Sweets, fruits, bread and juice among others were supplied to us every day.”

“It was summer when we came to Pyongyang, and time flied and winter has come. However, we have stayed in comfort with no worries about summer heat or winter cold. We have been provided with clothes, shoes, cosmetics, socks and other daily necessities according to seasonal changes. The benefits delivered to us every day are countless in both quantity and value.”

“Nursing mothers have been supplied with formula and diaper throughout the period.”

“Both my husband and I are teachers. We were among those who were the first to receive a house when a new village was built in Uiju County. This time as a nursing mother, I was privileged to receive special care in Pyongyang with other victims. I feel awkward only to enjoy the state benefits.”

“We felt sorry only to receive the benevolence of the Party. But the Party said that we justly deserve the best possible hospitality and services in view of the important role we are playing in actively supporting the Party and State and considering our position as future buttresses of the country.”

“We will do our best generation after generation to repay the great benevolence of the State by beautifully tending our home villages that have undergone a sea change and by harvesting bumper crops. We are really a blessed people to be envied by the whole world. We’d like to extend deep thanks to the Party, State and Pyongyang citizens for such hospitality.”

Yang Ryon Hui