North Korea celebrated meritorious retirees at welfare centers nationwide in an unprecedentedly grand event marking the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party, a Daily NK source in South Hwanghae Province said recently.
According to the source, social welfare centers were established after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un took power. Each province has one, managed by the provincial people’s committee.
North Korea classifies older people who worked at state agencies, factories or enterprises until retirement age as old-age welfare recipients, providing them with social welfare benefits. Retirees recognized for patriotic achievements also receive political privileges.
The celebrations at social welfare centers were an extension of this. The latest event was unprecedentedly grand to promote North Korea’s social welfare system, the source said.
“In South Hwanghae Province, an event for meritorious retirees was hosted by the propaganda department of the provincial party committee and the provincial people’s committee at a social welfare center on the outskirts of Haeju,” the source explained. “About 80 retired people receiving old-age welfare benefits took part, including a retiree who worked as an engineer in a factory for over 40 years.”
The provincial party committee head toasted the retirees, telling them the party “was a mother who embraced the people until the end of their lives.” Participants said “no other country in the world takes such good care of old people like us.”
“The event was called a ‘special reception for people receiving nutrition recovery benefits’ because an order was given to treat retirees to high-protein, high-calorie foods during the holiday after the central government received a report that most were malnourished,” the source said.
The meal included protein-rich foods like steamed egg and fish balls, while medical workers took participants’ blood pressure and examined their nutritional status.
The dinner was followed by a gift-giving ceremony. Every attendee received gift packs with printed cards bearing Kim Jong Un’s name and the slogan, “The fatherland holds you close throughout your life.” The bundles included five kilograms of rice, a bottle of cooking oil, a pack of sugar, soap, towels and other items.
After the gift-giving, a photo exhibit showcased the retirees’ work and lives, followed by a commemorative photo session with provincial party officials.
“Some of the retirees cried after being celebrated so warmly by the state and receiving gifts,” the source said. “The event demonstrated that the party’s social welfare policies are having a tangible impact on the people.”
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