Everyone has been touched by the news that security men of the Rahung branch public security station of the Riwon County Public Security Department of South Hamgyong Province rescued a boy who fell into icy lake water.
“It was a very cold mid-January day. Choe Kum Chol, security man of our Rahung branch public security station, was going on patrol that day, too. At that time he suddenly heard an urgent shout that a boy was drowning and discovered the boy struggling to get out of a water hole of a frozen lake. Choe jumped into the icy water without hesitation,” said Kim Sang Chol, head of the branch station.
According to the women of the village who witnessed the situation, Choe Kum Chol inched his way to the boy breaking the ice layer with his fists, lifted up the drowning boy and turned toward the shore. He swam desperately, going below and above the water surface, but with the boy on his shoulders to keep him from submerging in the lake water.
At that time another security man Ri Chol Min came rushing to the shore and dived into water. When Ri approached him, Choe pushed the boy toward the hand extended by Ri, instead of stretching out his hand. At that moment Ri hesitated, because he could not turn back leaving his comrade-in-arms in dire state behind. But he swam toward the shore holding the boy in his arm at the thought that not only his comrade but the boy his comrade rescued at the risk of his life might die if he hesitated. With the passage of time Ri became unable to move his arms and legs properly, but forced his way toward the shore inch by inch, breaking the ice layer desperately.
Ri managed to come out of water with the help of the rope cast by the other security man who arrived later and lost consciousness after seeing the boy breathing out his breath.
But Choe Kum Chol could not be saved.
Everybody has one and only life.
His comrades and villagers say that if Choe had a selfish streak, he would not have declined the saving hand extended to him in a pressing danger and sacrificed his life for the little boy who was a stranger to him.
People were reluctant to part with the admirable man who faithfully fulfilled his duty at the cost of his life.
The news of the self-sacrifice by the security man spread rapidly throughout the village and an endless stream of residents visited the venue of the mourning ceremony arranged in the branch station day and night.
Among them was the boy rescued by the security men.
When the boy entered the sorrow-laden venue with a guilty mind, Hong Sun Sil, wife of the late Choe, stroked his head and unexpectedly gave him new padded clothes.
Hong said that she prepared the clothes for him at the thought that her husband, if he were alive, might have given new padded clothes to the boy who had fallen into icy water. Looking at her, mourners wept copious tears.
Many people, who saw a video showing an endless stream of visitors to the venue of the mourning ceremony and throngs of people following his bier crowding the paddy and non-paddy fields, embankments and roads and who read a newspaper article about him, paid high tribute to the security man, a genuine human immensely faithful to his duty.
More From Pyongyang Times
It has been one year since a ceasefire agreement was concluded between Lebanon and Israel. But in the period Israel has carried
December 08, 2025
It has been one year since a ceasefire agreement was concluded between Lebanon and Israel. But in the period Israel has carried
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, denounced on December 1 the reckless remarks made by the chairman
December 08, 2025
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, denounced on December 1 the reckless remarks made by the chairman
The expedition to revolutionary battle sites in the area of Mt Paektu, made up of youth and students from across the DPRK, climbed
December 08, 2025
The expedition to revolutionary battle sites in the area of Mt Paektu, made up of youth and students from across the DPRK, climbed
Modern villages have sprung up at the Hungsang Farm in Ragwon County and the Township Farm in Kumya County, South Hamgyong
December 08, 2025
Modern villages have sprung up at the Hungsang Farm in Ragwon County and the Township Farm in Kumya County, South Hamgyong
South Hamgyong Province has remodelled the Hamhung Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory. The factory, furnished with dozens of
December 08, 2025
South Hamgyong Province has remodelled the Hamhung Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory. The factory, furnished with dozens of
Ideal socialist villages have appeared in Ogye-ri of Anbyon County and Sangja-ri and Jungyong-ri of Wonsan City, Kangwon Province.
December 08, 2025
Ideal socialist villages have appeared in Ogye-ri of Anbyon County and Sangja-ri and Jungyong-ri of Wonsan City, Kangwon Province.
The Mindulle Paper Mill on the banks of the Taedong River has been remodelled. The mill, a labour-, water- and site-saving
December 08, 2025
The Mindulle Paper Mill on the banks of the Taedong River has been remodelled. The mill, a labour-, water- and site-saving
The working-level delegation for agricultural cooperation led by Kim Kwang Uk, president of the Academy of Agricultural Science,
December 08, 2025
The working-level delegation for agricultural cooperation led by Kim Kwang Uk, president of the Academy of Agricultural Science,
Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and
December 08, 2025
Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and
Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, censured the West for its misleading propaganda about Iran in a recent
December 07, 2025
Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, censured the West for its misleading propaganda about Iran in a recent
The 55th Sports Contest of Artistes took place at the Basketball Gymnasium on Chongchun Street in Pyongyang on December 3 and 4.
December 07, 2025
The 55th Sports Contest of Artistes took place at the Basketball Gymnasium on Chongchun Street in Pyongyang on December 3 and 4.
True to the intention of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which set this year as the first year of the public health revolution,
December 07, 2025
True to the intention of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which set this year as the first year of the public health revolution,
The Rason Hyesong General Development Company was selected as one of the top ten businesses of the DPRK in succession for 2023 and
December 07, 2025
The Rason Hyesong General Development Company was selected as one of the top ten businesses of the DPRK in succession for 2023 and
North Hamgyong Province has newly built the Chongjin Water Park. The public service centre with unique architectural and modern
December 07, 2025
North Hamgyong Province has newly built the Chongjin Water Park. The public service centre with unique architectural and modern
Different areas of the country are stepping up preparations in earnest for the operation of their new regional-industry factories,
December 07, 2025
Different areas of the country are stepping up preparations in earnest for the operation of their new regional-industry factories,
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
December 06, 2025
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il on Mansu
December 06, 2025
The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il on Mansu
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, warned against Japan’s dangerous moves towards militarization at a
December 06, 2025
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, warned against Japan’s dangerous moves towards militarization at a
Modern rural dwellings which have been built at the Jamjin Farm in Kangso District and the Ryongho Farm in Ryonggang County,
December 06, 2025
Modern rural dwellings which have been built at the Jamjin Farm in Kangso District and the Ryongho Farm in Ryonggang County,
An art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan headed by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, arrived in
December 06, 2025
An art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan headed by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, arrived in
More Articles