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
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned Japan for its moves to revive militarism at a press conference on December
December 18, 2025
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned Japan for its moves to revive militarism at a press conference on December
The Mexican president resolutely rejected the US’ attempt to take military actions in her country on the pretext of the
December 18, 2025
The Mexican president resolutely rejected the US’ attempt to take military actions in her country on the pretext of the
The exhibition of products of Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories-2025 took place at the Okryu Exhibition House from November
December 18, 2025
The exhibition of products of Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories-2025 took place at the Okryu Exhibition House from November
The ardent desire of the Central Committee of the great Workers' Party of Korea has brought about stirring events in different
December 18, 2025
The ardent desire of the Central Committee of the great Workers' Party of Korea has brought about stirring events in different
Our factory has received numerous certificates of scientific and technological achievements at various festivals, exhibitions and
December 18, 2025
Our factory has received numerous certificates of scientific and technological achievements at various festivals, exhibitions and
All the people including service personnel across the DPRK are paying the highest tribute to Chairman Kim Jong Il with boundless
December 17, 2025
All the people including service personnel across the DPRK are paying the highest tribute to Chairman Kim Jong Il with boundless
Rangnim County greeted the moments of celebrating the inauguration of regional-industry factories built under the energetic
December 17, 2025
Rangnim County greeted the moments of celebrating the inauguration of regional-industry factories built under the energetic
This year marks the 14th anniversary of the demise of Chairman Kim Jong Il.On this occasion the DPRK people recollect the noble ou
December 17, 2025
This year marks the 14th anniversary of the demise of Chairman Kim Jong Il.On this occasion the DPRK people recollect the noble ou
Youth and students got together at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on December 15 to tell stories about the noble virtues of
December 17, 2025
Youth and students got together at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on December 15 to tell stories about the noble virtues of
Regional-industry factories have been built in inland mountainous Sinyang County to fundamentally improve the quality of the
December 17, 2025
Regional-industry factories have been built in inland mountainous Sinyang County to fundamentally improve the quality of the
Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the issue of state economic development in a state planning and strategic development
December 16, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the issue of state economic development in a state planning and strategic development
The 2025-2026 DPRK men’s and women’s premier leagues started amid high expectations and interest of soccer experts and fans.
December 16, 2025
The 2025-2026 DPRK men’s and women’s premier leagues started amid high expectations and interest of soccer experts and fans.
The Korean people call the present times the golden age of construction and the new era of comprehensive development of socialism.
December 16, 2025
The Korean people call the present times the golden age of construction and the new era of comprehensive development of socialism.
The Workers’ Party of Korea is accelerating the accomplishment of the epoch-making cause of reconstructing the regional economy
December 16, 2025
The Workers’ Party of Korea is accelerating the accomplishment of the epoch-making cause of reconstructing the regional economy
Modern houses have been built at Majon and Naeho farms in Hamhung City and the Paeksang Farm in Pujon County of South Hamgyong
December 16, 2025
Modern houses have been built at Majon and Naeho farms in Hamhung City and the Paeksang Farm in Pujon County of South Hamgyong
South Phyongan Province has modernized the city and county Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories. Jungsan County worked out a
December 16, 2025
South Phyongan Province has modernized the city and county Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories. Jungsan County worked out a
Hoeguksu or noodles with seasoned sliced raw fish was relished by people in the coastal areas. Through a long historical course,
December 16, 2025
Hoeguksu or noodles with seasoned sliced raw fish was relished by people in the coastal areas. Through a long historical course,
Baskets of flowers in the name of the UN resident coordinator office and the missions of UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, WFP and WHO in
December 15, 2025
Baskets of flowers in the name of the UN resident coordinator office and the missions of UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, WFP and WHO in
The Hungarian prime minister warned that Ukraine’s accession to the EU might cause danger through an SNS on December 8.Referring t
December 15, 2025
The Hungarian prime minister warned that Ukraine’s accession to the EU might cause danger through an SNS on December 8.Referring t
Personages of different countries highly praised the revolutionary exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il who led the socialist cause of
December 15, 2025
Personages of different countries highly praised the revolutionary exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il who led the socialist cause of
More Articles