Choe Yong Rim Visits Iron and Steel Complex, Attends Trade Fair

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (4th R) visits the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex in Songrim, North Hwanghae Province, on 15 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on Wednesday (16 May) that DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim inspected the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex on Tuesday (15 May).  KCNA reports:

The workers of the complex are making achievements in updating it and producing heavy-duty rails true to the behests of leader Kim Jong Il.

Going round gas generation and high temperature air combustion heating process and various other places, the premier learned in detail about the progress made in updating the complex and held a consultative meeting.

The meeting discussed the issues of implementing the WPK’s policy on modernizing railways and replacing the existing rails with heavy-duty ones, pushing forward the updating of the complex and keeping rail production going at a high rate. It took measures to ensure that relevant units satisfactorily ensure the supply of raw and other materials needed for production.

The premier got familiar with the management and operation of the hostel and supply service.

Stressing the need for the officials to provide the workers with convenience on a priority basis and take good care of their living, by learning from the dear respected Kim Jong Un’s noble outlook on the people. He took measures to complete the construction of dwelling houses as early as possible.

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (3rd L) talks to a vendor at the 15th Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair, during a 15 May 2012 tour (Photo: KCNA)

Later in the day, Choe visited the the 15th Spring International Trade Fair being held at the Three Revolutions’ Exhibition in Pyongyang.

The premier also visited the 15th Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair on the same day. He underlined the need to positively develop the bilateral and multilateral cooperation among countries and regions in the economic and trade fields.

View of opening ceremony of the 15th Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair. The ceremony was held on 14 May (Monday) (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Vice Premier and KWP Political Bureau Member, Kang Sok Ju (2nd L) is briefed on products displayed at the spring trade fair on 14 May (Photo: KCNA)

Pyongyang’s 15th Spring International Trade Fair, scheduled from 14 thru 17 May, displays the products of companies from 14 different countries.  On Monday (14 May) the trade fair had its opening ceremony.  KCNA reports:

Present at the opening ceremony were Kang Sok Ju, vice-premier of the DPRK, Ri Ryong Nam, minister of Foreign Trade, and others, delegations of different countries and regions and diplomatic envoys of various countries and staff members of foreign embassies here.

A congratulatory speech by O Ryong Chol, vice-minister of Foreign Trade, followed an inaugural speech made by Kim Mun Jong, president of the Korean International Exhibition Corporation.

Speakers welcomed delegations of different countries and regions participating in the fair.

They said that the fair is a prestigious international economic gathering which reflects the desire and wish of mankind to establish a new international economic order based on independence and achieve the common prosperity and development.

He hoped that they would make good achievements through broad contacts and positive trade dealings.

They declared the DPRK would in the future, too, further expand and develop bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the fields of economy and trade with all countries and regions on the principle of equality and mutual benefit.

At the end of the ceremony, the participants looked round products from companies of the DPRK, Netherlands, Germany, Bulgaria, Switzerland, the UK, Austria, Italy, Finland, Poland, Australia, Malaysia, Mongolia, China and Taipei of China.

The fair will last till May 17.

Workers’ Orgs to Hold Conferences in May and June

National headquarters of the Kim Il Sung Youth League (L) and the Korea Democratic Women’s Union (R) in Pyongyang (Photo: Google image)

DPRK state media reported on 4 May (Friday) that the four major Workers’ Organizations will hold membership conferences “from late May to early June.”  KCNA reports:

Conferences of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea and the Democratic Women’s Union of Korea are to be held here from late May to early June.

Discussed there will be the tasks of the working people’s organisations to hold in high esteem President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il as eternal leaders of the Party and revolution, carry through the decision of the Fourth Conference of the Workers’ Party of Korea and build a thriving socialist nation under the guidance of the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

It is not clear if the Workers’ Organizations’ conferences are linked to another large gathering in Pyongyang connected to boosting the country’s food supply.  Good Friends reported on its website on 2 May (Wednesday) that “the new leadership decided to hold a homeland meeting in Pyongyang early in May with the intent of preparing measures to resolve the problem of food shortages.  Three to four functionaries of related fields from each county, and even larger numbers from each city are continuing to gather in Pyongyang. . .the scale is second only to the party representatives’ conference held on 11 April.”  Good Friends also reported that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n), “personally ordered the meeting to be held, saying that good methods of food production should be sought fundamentally.”

AFP reports:

North Korean officials from across the country will meet in Pyongyang this month to discuss ways to boost agriculture in the food-scarce nation, a Seoul aid group said on Thursday.

The ‘Homeland Conference’ will focus on ways to expand farmland in the mountainous nation by cultivating rugged areas and inactive land, Good Friends said on its website.

The meeting will draw hundreds of people including central and local government officials, ruling communist party officials and other state agencies, making it as large as a party meeting last month, the aid group said.

Seoul’s unification ministry could not immediately confirm the reported meeting, for which the aid group gave no date.

The North suffered a famine which killed hundreds of thousands in the 1990s and severe food shortages continue. UN agencies said last November that three million people would need food aid this year and child malnutrition was rising.

Good Friends said the Pyongyang meeting would also consider a chronic workforce shortage in agriculture.

Many collectivised farms suffer high rates of absenteeism as farmers roam in search of roots and wild greens to compensate for grain shortages, it said.

Science and Technology Festival Opened

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (2nd R) tours the Science and Technology Festival on Friday, 27 April in Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)

On Friday (27 April) DPRK state media reported that the a Science and Technology Festival opened at the Three Revolutions Exhibition Hall.  DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim and KWP Secretary Choe Tae Bok, among other central leadership, attended the opening ceremony.  The festival was announced   KCNA reports:

The festival is divided into 13 panels of light industry, agriculture, foodstuff, railway transport, energy, construction and building materials, basic science, state of the art and others.

Presented to the festival are achievements of more than 200 units in the process of putting the production processes on a modern and scientific basis by pushing back the frontiers of latest science and technology together with many research findings of scientists, technicians and working people highly appreciated at local festivals.

Attending the ceremony were Choe Yong Rim, premier of the Cabinet, Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the C.C., the Workers’ Party of Korea, Ri Ja Bang, chairman of the State Science and Technology Commission, officials concerned, scientists, technicians and working people.

Meanwhile, 372 km (231 miles) northeast of the Three Revolutions Exhibition Hall, excavation and construction work proceeds.  The ongoing activity suggests that preparations are under way for the DPRK to conduct a third nuclear detonation at its test site in P’unggye-ri, Kilchu County, North Hamgyo’ng Province.  Kyodo reported on 25 April that Russia raised its alert level on the expectation that the DPRK’s nuclear test would be within the week.  38 North reports:

The latest imagery, taken April 18, 2012, documents continuing preparations for an upcoming nuclear test and shows a train of mining carts on top of the spoil pile and random unidentified structures or objects on or near the piles (see figure 3). Based on an examination of previous satellite photos, their position and number appear to vary on a day-to-day basis, indicating the continued movement of vehicles, structures and other objects on or near the spoil piles at the mouth of the test tunnel. According to one press report on April 21, the North had completed the removal of the large spoil pile near the test site, probably to seal the tunnel for the explosion. However, this imagery shows the size of the pile largely unchanged. Whether the test device has been emplaced in the chamber and stemming with other material has been completed, remains unclear.

Images of a tunnel entrance (top) and tunnel leading to the nuclear detonation site. These images appeared in episode 4 of the 2009 Korea Film Studios' feature The Country I Saw, which included a depiction of the 25 May 2009 nuclear test

The DPRK’s third nuclear test may not be as imminent as some in the neighborhood foresee.  Korea Herald reports:

Pollack was in Seoul last week to attend the 2012 Asan Plenum, a three-day international forum on global challenges that kicked off last Wednesday. The annual forum was organized by local think tank Asan Institute for Policy Studies.

Pyongyang may face a tougher response from its crucial patron China should it take another destabilizing action following the recent rocket launch, he pointed out. In an unusual move, Beijing agreed at the U.N. Security Council to condemn Pyongyang on April 16, three days after the botched launch.

“They may also be weighing the implications. This time, China would really impose some severe costs on them. We have the Chinese vice foreign minister in the forum, giving some very forceful remarks,” he said.

“They will test it at some point, but not now yet,” Jonathan Pollack of the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank, told The Korea Herald.

“The reason might not be technical, but political that another nuclear test would probably be damaging to North Korea from the point of view of seeing a future South Korean president more aligned with their interests.”

“He did not say a nuclear test, but you could see what he was talking about to make clear that China’s disapproval of any such third test would be very strong, potentially very harsh.”

Pollack paid particular attention to the fact that Pyongyang has not been explicit yet about its preparation for a nuclear test while it gave some explanation before their past nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.

“There has been no explicit threat to test the nuclear weapon. The other thing I want to emphasize that in both 2006 and 2009, they developed almost what we would call an immediate campaign over a period of time,” he said.

“I don’t know, it was perhaps, weeks or months, but it was trying to build the case for why they would then proceed to a nuclear test.”

Although it would not be easy for Beijing to change its core policy toward its impoverished ally considering that it favors stability on the peninsula, China could make some adjustments in it to protect its national interests, he argued.

“The Chinese are not, in my own view, likely to discard North Korea, but under some circumstances, it is possible that they might really try to put limits on the relationship if North Korea is affecting their Chinese vital interests,” he said.

“China’s larger worries concern North Korea undertaking actions to which the ROK (Republic of Korea) would respond this time, and then, this triggers an environment that draws in both the U.S. and China on the peninsula.”

Kim Jong Un Attends Shop Opening and Photo-Op

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) applauds after members of the central leadership cut a ceremonial ribbon opening the Mansugyo Meat and Fish shop. Also in this image are VMar Ri Yong Ho (2nd L) and Gen. Kim Yong Chol (C) (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un and other members of the DPRK central leadership attended the opening of a butcher-cum-fish monger called the Mansugyo Meat and Fish Shop on Wednesday (25 April).  Also in attendance with Kim Jong Un were Kim Kyong Hui, Jang Song Taek, VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Mun Kyong Dok, Kim Yong Nam,  VMar Kim Jong Gak, Choe Yong Rim, VMar Ri Yong Ho, Kim Yang Gon, Kang Sok Ju, Yang Hyong Sop, Choe Tae Bok, Kim Ki Nam, Gen. Kim Kyong Ok and Gen. Kim Yong Chol.

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (4th L), KWP Secretary Kim Kyong Hui (2nd R) and KWP Secretary Mun Kyong Dok (2nd R) cut a ceremonial ribbon. Kim Jong Un can be seen watching the ceremony in the background (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA reports:

The Mansugyo Meat and Fish Shop built on the bank of picturesque Pothong River in Pyongyang started its business on Wednesday.

The 3-storey shop covers 5 000 plus square meters.

Its ground floor has counters of fresh and frozen fish and processed fish while the first floor counters of meat including beef, pork, goose, turkey and quail and processed foodstuff.

The second floor has a restaurant serving steak.

The opening ceremony was held on Wednesday.

The dear respected Kim Jong Un appeared at the shop to congratulate its opening.

Attended there were Kim Yong Nam, Choe Yong Rim, Choe Ryong Hae, Ri Yong Ho and other senior party, state and army officials and officials concerned.

Looking round the interior of the shop, Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction with the solider builders having built the shop to be loved by the people.

He ardently said leader Kim Jong Il would have seen the shop with the highest service level.

He advanced tasks to manage and operate the shop.

He visited the shop construction site in January and indicated the orientation and ways for construction, underlining the need to provide the best convenience to the consumers.

Kim Jong Un inspects a refrigerator case. Also in attendance are VMar Choe Ryong Hae (R) and Gen. Kim Kyong Ok (2nd R), who is a member of the Party Central Military Commission and deputy director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un’s presence at the ribbon cutting and tour of the premises established the shop’s opening as a #1 event.  However, KJU was not observed cutting the ceremonial ribbon in front of the shop’s entrance; instead the ribbon was cut by his aunt, Kim Kyong Hui (party secretary for light industry) and Mun Kyong Dok, Pyongyang KWP Secretary, among others.  This activity (or lack thereof) contrasts with his cutting the ceremonial ribbon to open the KPA Arms and Equipment Exhibition.  This indicates that Kim Jong Un still has a passive public role on economic affairs, while retaining an active role in security and military matters.

Kim Jong Un (2nd L) gestures at a fish tank. Gen. Kim Yong Chol is at the left (Photo: KCNA)

With recent statements by the KPA Supreme Command excoriating and threatening South Korean political leaders, the prominent position of Gen. Kim Yong Chol at KJU’s side may incite queasiness in some Pyongyang watchers.  Gen. Kim heads the Reconnaissance General Bureau, whose mission is anti-ROK military and intelligence operations.

Kim Jong Un was also reported as having attended a commemorative photo session with the personnel involved in the construction of the KPA Arms and Equipment Exhibition.  The photo-op was KJU’s last reported public appearance.  KCNA reports:

Kim Jong Un waved back to the soldier-builders enthusiastically cheering him, overcome with excitement, and extended a warm salute to them.

He warmly congratulated them and had a photo taken with them.

He repeatedly praised them for their laudable exploits, noting that they successfully built the exhibition as a gift to leader Kim Jong Il, greatly contributing to adding shine to the Songun revolutionary exploits performed by the great persons of Mt. Paektu, helping the service personnel of the KPA and people deeply grasp the history of the army of the WPK and thus encouraging them in their efforts to build a thriving socialist nation.

Kim Jong Un expressed belief that the solider-builders would make a positive contribution to the cause of building a thriving nation by fully displaying patriotic devotion and popular heroism in the defence of the country and socialist construction in the future, too.

Present at the photo session were senior officials of party and armed forces organs Choe Ryong Hae, Ri Yong Ho, Kim Jong Gak, Jang Song Thaek, Kim Yong Chun, Kim Ki Nam, Pak To Chun, Hyon Chol Hae, Kim Won Hong, Ri Myong Su, Ju Kyu Chang, Kim Chang Sop, Ri Pyong Sam, Choe Pu Il, Son Chol Ju, Pak Jae Gyong, Kim Yong Chol, Jo Kyong Chol, Yun Tong Hyon, Kim Su Hak and Ri Jae Il.

Pyongyang Restaurant Opened in Amsterdam

The Pyongyang Restaurant in Amsterdam (Yonhap)

Pyongyang Restaurant in western Amsterdam (Photo: Google image)

After a small delay, the Netherlands branch of Pyongyang Restaurant opened in the Osdorp area of western Amsterdam in mid-January 2012.  The grand opening is scheduled to occur on 17 February 2012, and may be attended by the DPRK Ambassador to Switzerland So Se-p’yo’ng, the country’s nonresident ambassador to the Netherlands.  One of the Dutch partners in the joint venture is Remco van Daal, who has traveled to the DPRK on several occasions and was involved in several NL-DPRK organizations.

Yonhap reports:

The “Pyongyang Restaurant” was launched late last month under a joint venture between North Korea and two Dutch businessmen. While North Korea is known to operate dozens of restaurants across Asia, it is the first time a North Korean restaurant has opened in Europe, with the exception of a canteen that briefly operated near the North Korean Embassy in Vienna in the mid-1990′s, according to a local source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The restaurant is staffed by nine North Koreans, including the director and manager, Han Myong-hee, who worked for 15 years at a North Korean restaurant in Beijing operated by the North’s ruling Workers’ Party.

Pyongyang Restaurant, which seats 24 people, has its walls covered with pictures of Pyongyang and North Korean nature, while its menu consists solely of a nine-course meal priced at 79 euros (US$104).

Han said there are plans to offer more affordable dishes such as Korean noodles and dumplings after the restaurant’s official opening on Feb. 17.

“After our official launch, we plan to gradually serve a variety of dishes and during lunch hours as well,” she said. The restaurant currently serves only dinner.

The opening ceremony is expected to be attended by the North Korean ambassador to Switzerland, other North Koreans, and key figures from the Netherlands and different European nations, Han said.

Analysts said the restaurant is likely to serve not only as a source of much-needed cash but also as a bridge to Europe for the isolated North.

“North Korea has been putting a lot of effort into normalizing relations with European nations since 2000,” said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. “The opening of North Korea’s first restaurant in Europe can be seen as the North’s attempt to improve ties with the West through exchanges at the civilian level.”

Curtis has a comprehensive survey on DPRK restaurants abroad.

DPRK 2010 Luxury Imports Were Highest in 3 Years

CC KWP Finance and Accounting Department Vice (Deputy) Director Jon Il Chun (Cho'n Il-ch'un) visiting the So'nhung Food Factory with KJI in Pyongyang in December 2010. Mr. Jon manages, via Office #39, much of the foreign currency earned through overseas enterprises. (Photo: KCNA)

The DPRK’s import of luxury goods hit a 3-year high in 2010 with an estimated $446 million (USD) in purchases of televisions, media equipment and luxury vehicles.  According to ROK media, these purchases totaled just over $1 billion (USD) during 2008 through 2010.  Typically, overseas operatives, acting either semi-autonomously or working under foreign trading corporations, procure goods in EU countries, China and southeast Asia for delivery to the DPRK.  A vast majority of these purchases are conducted by and through the DPRK’s 3rd economy (also known as the party economy) with revenues generated through the operation of legitimate and illicit business activities.  While some luxury items are earmarked for Kim Jong Il and members of his extended family, many are held by subordinate offices in KJI’s Personal Secretariat or the CC KWP Finance and Accounting Department in so-called gift rooms.  Officials in the gift rooms are tasked with distributing items to senior party, military and government officials, as well as cadres and officials in the party apparatus, either as rewards or as an inducement for political support.

Aides from the Personal Secretariat (C and R) assist with a presentation of gifts during Kim Chong-il's visit to performers' apartments in October 2010

Luxury goods are not restricted to automobiles or media equipment.  Japanese authorities have made several arrests in 2010 and 2011 of ethnic Koreans residing in that country, linked to the Ministry of State Security, who were involved in purchasing pianos and other musical instruments, women’s clothing and shoes, bolts of fabric and home furnishings with the intention of sending those items to the DPRK.  Luxury goods purchases in other countries have included top-shelf alcohol and cigars.  Chosun Ilbo reports:

According to data Grand National Party lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun obtained from the Foreign Ministry and other government agencies, the regime imported luxury goods worth $272.14 million in 2008, $322.53 million in 2009, and $446.17 million in 2010.

TVs, digital cameras, and video recorders made up the largest proportion, jumping from $115.47 million in 2008 to $215.95 million in 2010.

Luxury cars and parts came second and movie equipment such as film cameras and projectors third.

UN Security Council resolutions 1718 and 1874 ban exports of luxury goods and weapons of mass destruction to the North.

Meanwhile, the Kathmandu branch of the Okryu (Okryugwan) Restaurant is under investigation by local revenue officials for evading VAT (value added tax) payments since its 2007 opening.  According to Nepal, tax officials visited the restaurant twice in early September 2011.  During their second visit, restaurant managers argued with the officials for four hours.  Faced with the threat that Kathmandu authorities would close the restaurant, a DPRK embassy official was summoned.  Investigators were permitted to confiscate a variety of documents and a computer, which was said to be owned by the DPRK Embassy.

A review of the documents and computer found major accounting irregularities and interestingly, evidence that restaurant personnel conducted intelligence** activities on anti-DPRK countries.  Despite the Okryu having been a hive of bean counters, neither the owner, the management nor a DPRK embassy official have made themselves available for questioning and the restaurant only received a legal notice after city police were involved.  Officials were reported as expecting a nominal settlement of the tax matter, and for the Okryu to relocate elsewhere in the city.

In November 2010, the DPRK shuttered a branch of the Ku’mgangsan Restaurant and recalled 13 of its 15 employees to Pyongyang after its manager fled to ROK.  The Ku’mgangsan Restaurant was located across the street from the Okryu.

**It is not clear what type of activities (i.e. surveillance) in which the restaurant or any related personnel were involved.  Given the discoveries on the confiscated computer and the circumstances surrounding the closure of Ku’mgangsang last November, the two do not seem completely unrelated.

Where is Kim Kyong Hui? (9 Weeks Without You, Thought I’d Forget)

3 August 2011

According to Yonhap, Kim Kyong Hui may have received medical treatment outside the DPRK for back problems.  An AFP report can be found in the comments for this posting:

Kim Kyong-hui, the only known sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, is believed to have received treatment for back pains during a recent trip to Moscow, a source familiar with the communist regime said Wednesday.

The 65-year-old head of the ruling Workers’ Party’s light industry department was spotted by a South Korean tourist at an airport in the Russian capital in early June, and appeared to be walking with a slight stoop, the source said on the condition of anonymity.

2 August 2011

Kim Kyong Hui (Kim Kyo’ng-hu’i) was not reported to have attended any of Kim Jong Il’s 18 public appearances during July 2011.  According to DPRK and ROK media, her last reported public appearance was on or around 5 June when she attended a performance by an art troupe of “builders” of overseas construction projects.  Until June Kim Kyong Hui attended almost all of KJI’s  domestic public appearances in the DPRK since late 2009.

Initial speculation has focused on the condition of her physical and mental health.   Kim Kyong Hui’s absence does not necessarily indicate a change in her status.  She may have assumed more substantive responsibilities and a less public role.   She is one of the few members of the central leadership who is completely untouchable by any inquiring security or party organizations.   That does not, however,  preclude any opponent from politically neutralizing her.

Footsteps and Insteps

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il inspects a fish farm in a northern region, according to this photo released by the country's official Korean Central News Agency, which did not say when the activity was carried out. (Yonhap)

Has Kim Cho’ng-il changed his shoes? Around 12 May [Thursday] Kim Cho’ng-il was reported to have visited Kujang Fish Farm.  Yonhap reports on the photograph released of his visit:

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has recently begun sporting his trademark high-heeled shoes again, a development that could raise an intriguing question about whether his health has improved.

Kim had sported high-heeled shoes that increased his height to what is believed to be 162 centimeters, or about 5’3″, before he reportedly suffered a stroke in 2008. Since then, he has switched to sneakers and flat dress shoes.

But a photo released by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency on Saturday showed Kim wearing a pair of shoes with 2- to 3-cm-high heels during an inspection tour.

These heels are bit lower than those on the shoes he had previously donned during official events, including his summit with then South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun in 2007 when Kim wore shoes with 6- to 7-cm-high heels.

The reappearance of Kim’s signature shoes may signal that his health has improved, though details were not immediately available.

Kim Cho'ng-il's dress shoes in a May 2011 photo released by KCNA

The style of shoe was a famous for wearing highlighted in this 2007 KCNA photo of a guidance tour (Photo: KCNA)

The leather sneaker-style shoe Kim Cho'ng-il has worn from late 2008 through 2011, including this photo released in early May

KCNA reported about KCI’s visit to the North P’yo’ngan fish farm:

After being briefed on the farm before a huge map showing its panoramic view, he went round various places of the fish farm including a hatching room to learn in detail about fish breeding there.

Noting that the Kujang Fish Farm is the best place for fish breeding as it abounds in water resources and quality of water is good, he stressed that the fish farm ensuring profitability and equipped with cutting-edge facilities is the one desired by the WPK and capable of bringing the people substantial benefits.

He set forth tasks to serve as guidelines for further developing the nation’s fish farming.

Fish breeding is a very economic production field as it ensures high profitability, while spending less money, and the shortest cut to providing people with fresh fish in all seasons, he said.

Kim Cho’ng-il was reported to have made several visits by KCNA between 6 May and 9 May.  On 7 May Kim Cho’ng-il was reported to have toured the Namhu’ng Youth Chemical Complex which is located near Anju, South P’yo’ngan.  According to Yonhap News Agency the ostensible purpose of his visit was to promote fertilizer production, which he has done on previous visits in 2011 including a January appearance at the Hu’ngnam Fertilizer Complex in South Hamgyo’ng.

DPRK Premier Choe Yong-rim tours Hyesan Youth Mine, Yanggang Province (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Premier Choe Yong-rim visited the complex, also to promote fertilizer production on 29 April.  Choe also presided over a national meeting there, held 1 May (International Labor Day; May Day). Interestingly, on 10 May KCNA reported on Choe visiting Hyesan Youth Mine in Yanggang Province, a follow-up trip to KCI’s guidance tour in April.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il (second from R) looks at products during his visit to Namheung Youth Petrochemical Factory in Anju, South Pyongan Province. The (North) Korean Central News Agency released the photo on May 7, but did not elaborate on when the visit was made. (Yonhap)

KCNA reports:

It is a miracle that the workers of Namhung successfully completed the construction of the second system of gasification process in a short span of time by their own efforts and with their own technology, he noted, highly praising them for building a giant structure by displaying popular heroism and patriotic devotion.

The completion of the first and second systems of gasification process in Namhung is a shining victory of President Kim Il Sung’s idea of building Juche-oriented chemical industry and a precious fruition of the tremendous mental power of the Korean workers intensely loyal to the party and the leader, he said, and continued: “Our party is strong and our socialist country is winning one victory after another thanks to the huge unit of the revolutionary and militant workers who performed shining feats in the gasification project under the slogan ‘Korea does what it is determined to do!’” Then he went round the stable, the essential foodstuff shop and Chongchun Health Complex to learn in detail about the supply service at the complex and cultural and emotional life of the workers there.

Everything is going well at the complex thanks to the good supply service, he said, praising the party and administrative officials of the complex for retaining a firm hold on the supply service and making tenacious efforts to improve it with a correct view on the workers, the master of production.

Watching a volleyball match and swimming in the newly built modern Chongchun Health Complex, he was pleased that the workers were having an ample cultural rest.

He watched various consumer goods produced by the complex before stressing the need to produce many more quality goods very necessary for improving the standard of people’s living.

The most important task before the complex is to focus efforts on keeping the production of fertilizers going at a high rate and send greater quantity of fertilizers to the socialist cooperative fields, he said.

Another important task before the complex is to wage a dynamic drive to increase the varieties of chemical products needed for people’s living, he added.

Deputy Director of the CC KWP Light Industry Department and former Cabinet Premier, Pak Pong Ju (2nd L) attends Kim Cho'ng-il's May visit to a Pyongyang textile mill (Photo: KCNA)

Prior to traveling to Anju, Kim Cho’ng-il was reported as having visited several factories in and around Pyongyang.  Seen in attendance at KCI’s side was deputy director of the CC KWP Light Industries Department and one-time DPRK Premier, Pak Pong-ju.  KCNA reports about one leg of KCI’s promotion of light industries and consumer goods:

He dropped in at the general control room and was briefed on the Tetron spun rayon fabrics production process. Going round several places of the Tetron spun rayon fabrics shop, he acquainted himself in detail with the production there and technological features and efficiency of the new equipment.

He looked at clothing and shirting materials made from Tetron spun rayon fabrics, cotton chequer and curtain cloth one by one and underscored the need to increase the production of clothing materials and varieties of fabrics liked by people.

He enjoyed a performance given by members of the itinerant art squad of the mill on the spot and highly appreciated their splendid performance.

He advanced important tasks facing the mill.

Kim Cho’ng-il was also reported on 10 May to have attended a concert given by the art group of the Kim Hyo’ng-chik [Kim Hyong Jik] University of Education.  One of KCI’s former wives served as dean and president of KHCU for a number of years.

Its repertoire included chorus “Glory to Our Great Party”, poem and song “Before Board Bearing the Autograph of the Fatherly Leader”, sketch “A Full Mark”, male chorus and story-telling “We Are Called by the Future of Thriving Nation” and poems and choruses “Green Pine on Nam Hill” and “March of Korean Youth”.

He expressed great satisfaction over the splendid performance given by students of the university with works of great cognitional and educational value as they truly reflect their life. He highly appreciated their successful performance and extended thanks to them in the name of the C.C., the WPK.

Kim Cho’ng-u’n (Kim Jong Un) was neither seen nor reported to have attended Kim Cho’ng-il’s recent visits.

DPRK Premier Visits Yukyo’ng [Ryugyong] Hotel Site

DPRK Premier Ch'oe Yo'ng-nim (3rd R) tours the Central Light Industrial Sample Exhibition on 6 April 2011 in Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Premier Ch’oe Yo’ng-nim visited the construction of the Yukyo’ng Hotel [Ryugyong Hotel].  DPRK press belatedly reported on 11 April [Monday] that Premier Ch’oe visited two locations in Pyongyang on 6 April [Wednesday] the day before the convocation of the 4th session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly.  Ch’oe first visit was a tour of a food exhibition of products from the country’s food factories.  KCNA reports:

The premier learned in detail about the variety and quality of products presented to the Central Light Industrial Sample Exhibition by the general food factories in provinces to mark the 2nd anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il’s field guidance to the Samilpho Special Products Factory that opened a wide avenue for development of the foodstuff industry.

He underlined the need to further perfect the production system based on locally-available raw materials and increase the food production, on the condition that modern food processing centers have been built in each province under the warm care of the Workers’ Party of Korea and thus fully meet the demands of the people for them.

On the same day, he acquainted himself with the construction of the Ryugyong Hotel on the spot.