In the DPRK that bears full responsibility for the old people in health and life, respecting and giving preferential treatment to them has become a nation-wide feeling and social trait.
The banks of the beautiful Taedong River in Pyongyang have turned into excellent cultural resorts for the people, and seen there are many old people.
It is one of conspicuous morning scenes on the promenades to see grey-haired old people looking light-hearted.
They are doing rhythmic exercises keeping time with the music, Are We Living Like in Those Days?, or jogging with their grandchildren. Among them are elderly couples, Pak Mun Sik and O Won Ha, and Kim Chun Jik and Yun Pyong Ju, and Pak Pyong Thae, all living in Kyogu-dong, Central District.
Though they are all in their seventies, they are still “full of youthful vigour.” Pak Mun Sik says, “Our country regards people as the most precious and the government takes responsible care of the elderly, so we are singing that sixty is the prime of life.” They enjoy angling, playing janggi and yut games (Korean folk games), and sing and dance merrily. The song Let the Days Go By is the most favourite among the aged, full of optimism and delight.
Now we are past our prime days and in the twilight of life,
We still feel youthful, though grey-haired.
Thanks to the Workers’ Party we are full of youthful vigour,
Let the days go by, as they cannot age us in mind.
The images of the old people singing and dancing merrily represent the elderly people in the DPRK who are enjoying a cultured and happy life, full of vigour in their twilight years.
Article: Kim Hyo Sim
