Jo Jun 2, 2022

Here is Kyongru-dong like a beautiful gem true to the meaning of its name in the centre of Pyongyang, capital of the DPRK.

Everything here including the bus stops, underground crossings, street lamps, etc. blends well with the Pothong riverside and the terraced residential district, which gives us an impression of being on the fairyland.

Walking up the exquisite stone steps, we could notice the plate bearing Block No. 12 in big fonts attached on the front door, which led us into the house of Merited Scientist, Candidate Academician, Prof. PhD. Ri Mu Chol, a section head at the Bioengineering Institute.

He and his son PhD. Ri Hwi Song, a researcher at the Faculty of Biology and Medicine Engineering, welcomed us, saying that they still could hardly believe this dreamlike reality.

The living room, study, kitchen, storeroom, …

Every element in the dwelling including the arrangement and colour of all the furnishings and lighting was on the highest level in the aspects of practicability, aesthetics and environment.

We could enjoy the beauty of the Pothong River flowing placidly in front of the spacious balcony where some fresh and green young pine trees were growing like a piece of painting.

Indeed, it was like a dream that ordinary working people are living in such luxurious dwellings in Kyongru-dong with fine scenery and good living conditions.

This is not a dream, but the reality in the DPRK.

We were totally absorbed in looking round the rooms when Ri Mu Chol told us as follows.

“It is really unbelievable that I am honoured to live here. I couldn’t believe that this is my own house even when I was handed over the entrance certificate and even when I was looking round it after the completion ceremony. But it turned out to be the reality, not a dream. Ordinary educators, scientists, workers, writers and artists like me became the owners of these new dwellings.”

This is not the remark from his heart alone.

It is from the hearts of all educators and scientists including Ri Tong Ju, a section head at the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Technology, O Su Yong, a section head at the Faculty of Heat Engineering, Kwon Chang Dok, a section head at the Faculty of Mining Engineering, Ri Mu Chol, a section head at the Bioengineering Institute, Son Ryong Chol, a section head at the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, Jong Kwang Chon, a researcher at the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, Min Chol U, a researcher at the Robotics Institute, Kim Chol Ryong, dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, etc. It is from the hearts of all the people across the country.

It is not a dream, but reality.