culture

Jon Kwang Chol and his wife Ho Kum Ju live in Neighbourhood Unit No. 28 in Jonwi-dong No. 2, Hyongjesan District, Pyongyang. They have brought up seven children. They keep details of their family life in a book entitled “The Story of Our Family”.

Dream and hope

I’m finishing senior middle school in a few days. I attended an accordion group of the Pyongyang Students and Children’s Palace in my primary school days to fully develop my talent, and I often heard people say that I would become an excellent artiste. It was also my dream and hope. However, I am determined to serve the Korean People’s Army as I know national defence is a civic duty and the most vivid expression of patriotism. Only when the country is safe and secure can my dream and my precious hope come true. 

My dad is a discharged officer and my mom a discharged soldier. My elder brother also joined the army a year ago.

Second daughter Jon Kwang Ok (18) 

March 25 2024

New house

My family moved to a new house today. It is a four-room flat in a 60-storey apartment building on modern Jonwi Street. Each room is furnished with an electric heating system and tap water can be used in the bathroom and kitchen 24-7. The rooms are so spacious that my kid brothers play at chasing each other, running around the rooms just like they do outdoors. At the windows we can have a bird’s-eye view of beautiful Pyongyang. 

I asked my parents repeatedly, “Is this really our home? Are we going to live here from now?” Then they kept nodding in tears.

The stars in the night sky seem to throw silver confetti to congratulate us on moving to a new house. 

Stars, you are envious of us, aren’t you?

Third daughter Jon Ju Ok (11) 

May 20 2024

Accession to KCU

Today I joined the Korean Children’s Union. I looked really gorgeous in new school uniform with a red neckerchief of the KCU round my neck.

My parents keep telling us that KCU members should study well, love friends and do good things and that devotion to society and the collective is more valuable than billions of tons of gold.

There are many certificates of assistance in my house. My parents sent many aid materials to major construction sites. My mother was awarded a high state decoration for that. 

I will also become an excellent man who does a lot of good things just like my parents.

Fourth son Jon Yong Ju (9) 

February 16 2025

My wish

State benefits for families with many children are increasing day by day. Both in the neighbourhood and on the street everyone helps our family with many children while giving us preferential treatment. 

So I often harden my resolve to bring up my children better. As a mother, I hope my children will become genuine persons ready to repay the benefits and benevolence of the country.

I came to have another hope after I began to work as head of our neighbourhood unit.

It is to help not only seven children of my family but also all the other children in our neighbourhood unit grow up to be pillars of the country and make the neighbourhood unit more harmonious as a family.

As the children grow healthily and robustly, my family and the others in the neighbourhood unit will resound with happy laughter.

Mother Ho Kum Ju 

January 1 2026