In May 2017, a Pyongyang exchange group of persons with disabilities gave successful performances in London and other places in Britain, following its performance tour in Britain and France in February 2015.
Among the performers was a blind woman, Pae Ok Rim by name, who sang the world famous song Time to Say Goodbye.
When she lost her sight in her childhood, her parents worried about her future.
One evening, however, while listening to her neighbouring friend singing to her own accompaniment of the accordion, Pae told her mother, “I want to go in for music.”
Having learned about this, her school decided to train her. The music teacher dropped in on her every day to guide her, and her skill improved day by day.
One day officials of the Federation for the Protection of the Disabled visited her family and enrolled her with the federation’s art group. She further refined her skill in the group, qualifying herself for domestic and even international stages.
After seeing the performance given by the Korean artistes with disabilities, many British citizens lavished praises, saying: It is unbelievable that persons with disabilities can sing, play instruments and dance as excellently as professionals; their happy images give a glimpse of the reality of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea which pursues advantageous policies for protecting persons with disabilities.
After a performance Pae said in a press conference: I am happy to have sung without a mistake; I owe my success to my teachers and benevolent country; though I am disabled, my dream has come true.
