Bereaved of his father in his early years, he lived a bitter life as a tenant, undergoing all sorts of hardships.

Though living in poverty, he used to say to his sons and daughters that they could live without money, but not without humanity.

His noble idea of holding humanity dearer than property was the tradition of the Mangyongdae revolutionary family.

He spared nothing for the villagers and taught his family members to do right things for the country.

He took a pride in his son Kim Hyong Jik, an indomitable revolutionary who set on the road for the country's independence.

When he heard the news that Kim Hyong Jik was arrested by the Japanese police, he inspired his grandson Kim Il Sung to carry forward his father's idea and embark on the road of revolution.

He always stood firm against the Japanese aggressors.

When henchmen of the Japanese imperialists tried to allure Kim Po Hyon with money to persuade his grandson to give up the anti-Japanese armed struggle, he categorically rejected the offer and drove them out of his house.

When his another son Kim Hyong Rok was tortured by the Japanese police for refusing to change his name to Japanese one, Kim Po Hyon supported his son, saying he should never change his name, even if he were beaten to death.

Even after the liberation of the country, he did farming, living a simple life, although he was the grandfather of the state leader.

His idea of patriotism has been handed down from generation to generation.