Unpacking Hereditary Logic in North Korea

The Legacy of Patriotism: More Than Just a Sentiment

Dive deeper with our related article below.

Tradition of Patriotism Is Carried Forward

There are many patriotic families in the country whose members have engaged in the same job down through generations.

Among them who regard patriotism as their outlook on life and family tradition is a coal miner family whose five sons work in the Konggup Mine in Jagang Province.

A Multi-Generational Family of Coal Miners Who Have Sustained Their Underground Business. A Family of Five Coal Miners from a Coal Supply Mine in Jagang Province / Photo by Rodong Sinmun

“Fertilize the soil of the country by your own efforts and think about the country’s wealth before your small family property.” This is the creed of their father.

He was a man who devoted himself for coal production throughout his life. He had neither an illustrious career nor honour nor property to be handed over to his children. As he spent most of his life in a pit, he had not a good memory of enjoying happy time together with his family members. But he treasured coal production rather than the happiness of his own and his family. That was why he brought up his five sons into coal miners.

His family members are rendering services to coal production through generations with a single mind to devote themselves for the prosperity of the country like coal giving light and heat by burning itself.

There are many similar families in the country.

The family of Kim Myong Chol, workshop head of the Sogu Public Building Construction Company, are working in the construction sector for three generations to build streets and monumental structures in the capital city of Pyongyang. The family of Kang Yong Su at the Unsan County Forestry Management Station are looking after green forests for three generations. All family members of Kim Kyong Su, teacher at Changju branch of Songryon Senior Middle School in Pyokdong County, including his son and daughter-in-law, are devoting themselves to the education of the rising generations.

During the 9th Congress of the Korean Children's Union, Korean Central Television Reports 'Successors Upholding the Revolutionary Legacy' Arriving in Pyongyang, Pledging Generational Loyalty to Kim Jong-un. / Photo by Korean Central Television

As there are so many such families with warm love for the country, the tradition of patriotism is steadily being carried forward in the country.