Fixed Habit

In April Juche 51 (1962), reflecting the unanimous wish of the entire Korean people for good health of the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung, the then Political Committee of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea decided on a matter of having him get a rest for his health.  

But his work routine was the same as ever except the change of his office.  Even in rest days Kim Il Sung worked until late at night. So an official pleaded with him not to work from dawn. 

Kim Il Sung said with a smile on his face: It is not easy for me to outgrow a fixed habit. In the course of my past life I was accustomed to waking up early in the morning. When I fought at mountains the enemies would make a surprise attack at dawn. Given the situation, how could I go to sleep with an easy mind as a man who took responsibility for the destiny of the unit. Since then I was unable to get in sleep when dawn broke. When the country was liberated we were faced with large amount of formidable tasks and so I could hardly sleep at dawn; after that, a war broke out. After the end of the war the rehabilitation started and then the era of great Chollima upsurge was ushered in. Eventually my life never allowed me to take a rest at ease in the morning. This is why I was accustomed to rise early.

The official was moved to hear him. Kim Il Sung continued to say that he would not be able to overcome his habit of getting up early in the morning all his life.