Such admirable persons of virtue can be found anywhere in the DPRK.

One of them is Ko Hak Chol, a worker of the Tukjang Youth Coal Mine under the Tukjang Area Coal Mining Complex.

In December last, Ko, 24, died after rescuing his mate from a big stone falling from the roof of a cutting face. If he had moved back some steps, he would have preserved his life. But he did not hesitate to sacrifice himself for his mate.

Such practices are commonplace in the DPRK whose people deem it as pride and honor to devote themselves to their comrades.