culture

Disabled poet

The recent national mass literary work prize contest highly appreciated the lyric “I Go to Work” written by Man Jong Ryong living in Songbuk-dong, Moranbong District of Pyongyang.

The poem impresses people as it is composed with vivid and exciting poetic words on the basis of a novel idea. “This is not simply a poem. It reflects my life and a disabled young man’s gratitude to the socialist system,” said Jong Ryong. 

The joy of his family was great at the time of his birth.

But the joy soon turned into disappointment. He was diagnosed as being unable to lead a normal life.

But no one discriminated against him. He grew up among those who showed special concern and affection for him lest he should feel uncomfortable, and his heart was filled with a desire to write poetry. So he would rack his brains to write a poem only to writhe in agony as it was not satisfactory. 

At that time, a writer, whose name Jong Ryong had been acquainted with through publications, came to his house to give him a literary lesson. His talent improved day by day thanks to the selfless help of the writer who had frequented his home ever since. His burning creative enthusiasm soon produced the fine poem.

Disabled postgraduate student 

Kim Yong Hyon lost her one leg in an accident more than ten years ago.

Her parents were dumbfounded by the reality that their dear daughter became disabled at an early age.

From then on, however, Yong Hyon grew up under the special care of many people. They included her class teacher in her junior middle school days, who made it part of her daily routine to take the unusually tall girl to and from the school by bicycle, and kind-hearted swimming trainers, who voluntarily coached her in the sport, valuing her dream of swimming to her heart’s content. 

Thanks to the state benefits for the disabled and the care of many people who forged ties with Yong Hyon, she took part at the third Asian para games and studied to her heart’s content at a university. The university arranged special lectures for her, and her class teacher and classmates showed concern for her lest she should feel any inconvenience in life.

After graduating from the university, she became a postgraduate student with a goal of becoming a scientist contributing to the development of the disabled’s sports in the country.