Hong Myong Gi, born into a tenant's family in Puyo, South Chungchong Province, was subject to a miserable life, feeling the sorrow of a stateless nation. He had yearned after the northern half of the Republic, a new world for the people, in humble reverence for President Kim Il Sung who liberated the country from the Japanese imperialist colonial rule.

During the Fatherland Liberation War, he joined the People's Army advancing southward and performed feats in a number of battles. Later, he was arrested by the enemy while bravely fighting for national reunification. He lived up to the revolutionary faith and principle as a member of the Workers' Party of Korea despite 38 year-long imprisonment.

Chairman Kim Jong Il highly appreciated his feats and saw to it that he was conferred a watch bearing the august name of the President, the title of hero of the Republic, the National Reunification Prize and other state commendations and could lead a happy life.

Kim Jong Un invited him as delegate to various events including the celebrations of the centenary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, the Fourth National Conference of War Veterans and the Seventh Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, thereby adding more luster to the noble life of the revolutionary fighter.