The following happened when the construction of Chollima Street kicked off according to President Kim Il Sung’s grand plan for the capital city construction.

   Many families had to move to other places until new houses would be built. But the problem was how to deal with their kimchi jars which should be dug out of the frozen earth, as they might be broken or the taste of kimchi might change during the removal. Then, the residents’ efforts for half of their winter food might end in failure.

   But none of them talked about their worries.

One day in mid-January 1970, Kim Il Sung phoned an official of Pyongyang City to ask whether the above-said project had begun.

   The official said the preparation for the groundbreaking ceremony was complete but the construction failed to start as the removal of house was delayed.

   After listening to his answer, Kim Il Sung said that the ceremony should be postponed until April.

   The official could not understand; even if the construction began in January it would not be easy to successfully promote the project due to be completed before the 5^th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea which would be held in November that year.

   As if reading his mind, Kim Il Sung said the families would feel many difficulties if they were evacuated in winter and expressed his worry about their kimchi jars. 

   Then, the official realized why the President suggested postponing the groundbreaking day.

   Accordingly, the construction of Chollima Street kicked off three months later than the expected date for the convenience of evacuees.

   It was a fairly bold decision made only by Kim Il Sung who loved his people most and treasured the peculiar custom of the nation, as well as a measure taken for the people.