Rice Sent to a Medical Clinic

One February day in Juche 40 (1951) when the Korean war was at its height, Kim Hyong Rok, uncle of President Kim Il Sung, visited the Supreme Headquarters of the Korean People’s Army, where he dined with his nephew. He was surprised to see that the foods on the table were none other than boiled millet, dried vegetable soup and kimchi.

The uncle knew well what his nephew was like, but he asked him why he was poorly fed.

Kim Il Sung replied with a smile: All the people are fighting against the US imperialists, tightening their belts. How can I have boiled rice? I feel at ease when I share sweets and bitters with the people, and this gives me a good appetite.

Aware that he couldn’t get the better of his nephew, the uncle came back home. He hulled some rice and sent it to the Supreme Headquarters with a letter asking it to cook a meal for his nephew.

After that, he felt at ease a bit. But later, he came to know that Kim Il Sung had sent the rice to a military clinic near the Supreme Headquarters.

“The General is the man who can’t live other way. I hoped against hope,” murmured the uncle.