She devotedly helped her son, Kim Hyong Jik, in his revolutionary activities and greatly encouraged Kim Il Sung in waging the anti-Japanese struggle for national liberation.

Though she lived in poverty, she unhesitatingly allowed her sons and grandsons to conduct revolutionary activities.

It was in the summer of Juche 15 (1926) that Ri Po Ik called at Kim Hyong Jik's grave in Yangdicun village in Fusong of China, together with Kim Il Sung. She said to her teenage grandson, Kim Il Sung:

"You must pick up the cause where your father left off and win back the country, come what may. You may have no chance to take care of me or your mother, as is your filial duty, but you must give yourself heart and soul to the cause of Korea's independence."

Recalling her remarks, President Kim Il Sung in his reminiscences "With the Century" said: "I was deeply moved by her words. If she had told me instead to aim for wealth or a successful career, I would not have been as inspired."

When the Japanese imperial army forced "surrender campaign" upon her, she never yielded to it.

Ri Po Ik's whole life is characterized by her dignity and integrity as befitting mother and grandmother of great revolutionaries.