Late at night on August 31, 1984, the rain pouring down, as it was the close of the rainy season. Kim Jong Il was on a field guidance tour, and stood by the window at his lodgings. He was gazing at the sky over the southern part of the country.
Then he told his officials that the sight of the unceasing rain made him very concerned about his compatriots in south Korea. He added the heavy rain must have triggered severe flooding, and that the people would be suffering.
He went on:
“It seems that a man’s longing grows stronger as the night advances. Thinking of the south Korean people, I feel my heart rending. It is very painful for me to think that our compatriots in south Korea are suffering so much owing to the division of the country.”
Then he turned to watch the torrential downpour outside. As he had predicted, terrible floods swept Seoul and many other parts of south Korea, claiming 350 lives. In all, 207 000 people were made homeless by the disaster; those who were left alive, were desperate for relief.
Learning the news, Kim Jong Il skipped his meal and called an official. He said that when he thought of the flood victims he could not eat. And urged him to come up with ways of aiding them.
Soon afterwards, a decision on sending relief goods to the flood victims in south Korea was made public in Pyongyang.
Kim Jong Il said:
There is no need to spare relief goods however huge the amount needed may be. Blood is thicker than water. There is nobody else but us who the victims can turn to. The relief goods should be prepared with utmost care.
Thanks to his warm affection for his compatriots, a vast quantity of relief goods including 50 000 sok(one sok equals just under five bushels) of rice, 500 000 meters of cloth, 100 000 tons of cement and a large amount of medicines were delivered to the people in the south across the barrier of national division. This was the first ever undertaking of its kind since the division of Korea.
More From Uriminzokkiri (En)
City and county organizations of the Workers' Party of Korea are making an intensive study to deeply grasp the idea and spirit of
January 09, 2024
City and county organizations of the Workers' Party of Korea are making an intensive study to deeply grasp the idea and spirit of
The Korean people, who successfully passed the third year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic
January 09, 2024
The Korean people, who successfully passed the third year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic
The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued the following report on Sunday: According to the ratification of the
January 08, 2024
The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued the following report on Sunday: According to the ratification of the
The very important report and conclusion made by the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un at the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th
January 08, 2024
The very important report and conclusion made by the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un at the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th
Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, on Sunday issued the following
January 08, 2024
Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, on Sunday issued the following
All the people of the DPRK out in the new year advance are intent on the intensive study to fully arm themselves with the new idea
January 08, 2024
All the people of the DPRK out in the new year advance are intent on the intensive study to fully arm themselves with the new idea
There are many people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, who regard love of and devotion to others as their duty.
January 07, 2024
There are many people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, who regard love of and devotion to others as their duty.
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued the following report on Friday: On the
January 07, 2024
Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued the following report on Friday: On the
Saussurea seoulensis syringin developed by the Kuryongsan Pharmaceutical Manufactory is winning growing favour among users as the
January 06, 2024
Saussurea seoulensis syringin developed by the Kuryongsan Pharmaceutical Manufactory is winning growing favour among users as the
Among those who took the floor at the Second National Conference of Exemplary Young People of Virtue held in May Juche 104 (2015)
January 06, 2024
Among those who took the floor at the Second National Conference of Exemplary Young People of Virtue held in May Juche 104 (2015)
Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, on Tuesday issued the following
January 05, 2024
Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, on Tuesday issued the following
Leading newspapers of the DPRK Thursday editorially call upon the officials and working people to successfully carry out the tasks
January 05, 2024
Leading newspapers of the DPRK Thursday editorially call upon the officials and working people to successfully carry out the tasks
The Yoon Suk Yeol group of puppets, who spent days and months of 2023 with dangerous military provocations to push the Korean
January 05, 2024
The Yoon Suk Yeol group of puppets, who spent days and months of 2023 with dangerous military provocations to push the Korean
Rodong Sinmun Wednesday says in an article that there are countries which make efforts to tide over the difficulties and bolster
January 04, 2024
Rodong Sinmun Wednesday says in an article that there are countries which make efforts to tide over the difficulties and bolster
Officials of the Central Committee of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League conducted political work at the construction site of
January 04, 2024
Officials of the Central Committee of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League conducted political work at the construction site of
All the people and service personnel of the Korean People’s Army greeted the New Year Juche 113 (2024) significantly. Visitors
January 03, 2024
All the people and service personnel of the Korean People’s Army greeted the New Year Juche 113 (2024) significantly. Visitors
Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- The grand art performance in celebration of the New Year 2024 is going on with splendor amid the
January 03, 2024
Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- The grand art performance in celebration of the New Year 2024 is going on with splendor amid the
A gala evening of youth and students took place at Kim Il Sung Square in the capital city of Pyongyang on December 31, 2023 on New
January 02, 2024
A gala evening of youth and students took place at Kim Il Sung Square in the capital city of Pyongyang on December 31, 2023 on New
A national flag-hoisting ceremony was solemnly held on January 1, Juche 113 (2024), at Kim Il Sung Square. At 00:00 sharp, a bell
January 02, 2024
A national flag-hoisting ceremony was solemnly held on January 1, Juche 113 (2024), at Kim Il Sung Square. At 00:00 sharp, a bell
The Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace in Mangyongdae District in the capital city of Pyongyang is a base for extracurricular
January 01, 2024
The Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace in Mangyongdae District in the capital city of Pyongyang is a base for extracurricular
More Articles