Even When Reading the People’s Opinions

This happened one day decades ago.

The day, too, President Kim Il Sung was going over documents till late at night as usual. An official, with an intention to have him have a rest, handed to him the opinion of a delegation from another country.

It read:

“Frankly speaking, the head of state of our country attends national functions once or twice a year, and other times he enjoys himself at resorts. So we, government officials, can hardly see him.

“We think President Kim Il Sung is entitled to do his work while having a rest in view of the exploits he has performed and of his age.”

After reading the document, Kim Il Sung said that he did not know how the head of state worked but he could not do so.

The official pleaded to him, saying: Please, leader, the night is far advanced.

Kim Il Sung replied: I’m alright; when I was fighting in mountains, I would get a less sleep than others; this has become a habit, so I don’t feel tired; I still have a lot of work to do.

That night, he greeted the dawn in his office.