culture

Choe Jong Suk living in Central District, Pyongyang, is called a patriotic grandmother.

One day over 50 years ago, she called on her husband, an officer of the then military band of the Korean People's Army, who went to the construction site of a motorway to conduct motivational activities for builders.

As she saw the builders removing soil and building structures without taking a rest in order to carry out their assignments, Choe decided to do something for them.

Some days later, she went there again to give them aid materials she had prepared with sincerity, which marked the beginning of her contribution to the country.

Since then, she has rendered assistance to grand socialist construction sites on hundreds of occasions over the past five decades.

She also paid close attention to fostering love for the country in her four children from their childhood.

Receiving education from their mother, the eldest and second sons rendered distinguished service to the country, with the result that the former won the title of DPRK Hero and the latter was awarded the title of People’s Athlete and selected as one of the top ten coaches of the country six times.

Choe Jong Suk, who dedicates herself to any work if it is of help and adds lustre to the country, rendered much assistance to her second son in selecting his players when he became a weightlifting coach of the then April 25 Sports Club.

While working at the Mass Gymnastics Production Company, she encouraged students with natural aptitude for weightlifting to take up the sport.

“In those days, my mother used to say to me that she would be very happy if those selected grew up to be excellent players exalting the honour of the country under my coaching,” recalled the second son, So Un Hak.

She devoted all her sincerity to his trainees for over 20 years and they called her “our weightlifting grandmother”.

In 2015, a medium-length real-life story about her was produced.

The state awarded high state decorations and citations to her, who has devoted all her life to the country with a high sense of patriotism, and invited her as a delegate to the Fourth National Conference of Mothers and the Seventh National Conference of Sportspersons.

Choe Jong Suk is now at the advanced age of 80 and still follows the road of patriotism with her children.