A War Veteran Holds Doctorate in Her 80s

A high-strength structural adhesive (which also goes by cement glue) is in wide use in the construction sector for its simple building operation and great economic profitability.

This building material with great adhesive force and strong durability is made by adding a binding material to Portland cement.

It was developed by Pak Pong Sil, a war veteran in her 80s living in Tongdaewon-dong No.1, Tongdaewon District, Pyongyang.

She began to study the adhesive early in 1974.

One day while working at a site of building dwelling houses in the capital city of Pyongyang together with builders, she heard them saying that they could double the construction speed, if they were provided with many adhesives.

In those days, epoxy resin adhesive was being used in fixing tiles and various other materials in the construction sector.

Since then, she buckled down to studying a substitute for epoxy resin adhesive.

She met with many setbacks, but she could not give up her resolve.

Her husband, a teacher at Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, encouraged her, saying that the birth of a new thing is always accompanied by difficulties.

Her painstaking efforts resulted in developing a new adhesive.

At that time, many of her acquaintances advised her to write a doctoral thesis, but she said she had nothing more to desire if her findings contributed to the country’s economic development.

The new adhesive was introduced into many structures, including the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium, Ice Rink and Monument to the Three Charters for National Reunification, winning high appraisal among builders and experts.

It was also applied to tiling the outer walls of skyscrapers in Ryomyong Street of Pyongyang several years ago.

In appreciation of her patriotic deeds, the country made sure that she attended the Korean Intellectuals Meeting and several other national meetings, and awarded a doctorate in engineering to her.