Choe Yong Rim Visits South Hwanghae Province

Choe Yong Rim visits Samjigang Cooperative Farm on 24 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported that DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim visited agricultural and food production facilities in South Hwanghae Province.  Choe’s public appearances occurred amid reports of a drought in the western part of the country and starvation deaths in South Hwanghae.  On 24 May (Thursday) Choe visited Samjigang Cooperative Farm in Chaeryo’ng County.  KCNA reports:

It is associated with the leadership provided by the President and leader Kim Jong Il. It has completed rice transplanting in the right time while giving priority to harrowing according to the features of soil and thoroughly ensuring the number of rice plants for phyong and the number for rice plants. The agricultural workers of the farm are turning out as one in weeding and preventing drought, not content with their proud achievements.

The premier stressed the need to set a model of the country in farming this year, too, true to the behests of Kim Jong Il and thus remain loyal to the Songun revolutionary leadership of Kim Jong Un with rice.

Choe Yong Rim visits Suwon Cooperative Farm in Paech’o'n County, South Hwanghae Province on 25 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

On 25 May (Friday) Choe visited cooperative farms and water infrastructure in Yo’nan and Paech’o'n counties:

All the agricultural workers of the counties are gaining achievements in the ongoing rice transplanting with ardent patriotism to bring about a decisive turn in settling the food issue as befitting the masters of the country’s granary true to the high intention of the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

The premier went round the Ohyon and Suwon cooperative farms and other places.

He underlined the need for the farms to carry through the behests of President Kim Il Sung and thereby continue glorifying the honor of the units of his on-the-spot guidance. He underscored the need to positively study and introduce high yields of seeds as intended by the WPK so as to set a model in grain production. He stressed the need to readjust tractors and rice transplanting machines well to keep them in full-capacity and for relevant units to provide substantial fertilizers according to periods.

Learning about water storage and provision of Lake Kuam and the Ryeui Reservoir, he underscored the need to provide substantial water to paddy and non-paddy fields as it does not rain at present and thus take concrete measures for preventing drought.

Choe Yong Rim visits Ohyon Cooperative Farm in Yo’nan County, South Hwanghae Province on 25 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Choe visits Ryeui Reservoir (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim visits Lake Kuam on 25 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Choe visits Oguk Cooperative Farm in Anhak County, South Hwanghae Province on 26 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

On 26 May (Saturday) Choe visited farms in Anhak and Sinch’o'n counties, as well as a salt production site:

The farms associated with the leadership exploits of the great persons of Mt. Paektu have made successes in their immediate farming by making full arrangements for finishing the on-going rice-transplantation and other farm work qualitatively in the right time with ardent desire to reap a rich harvest.

The farms have taken measures for speeding up the rice-transplantation and overcoming the drought despite unfavorable weather as required by the Juche-oriented farming methods.

The premier highlighted the importance of settling the food shortage in building a thriving nation and called on all officials and other agricultural workers to play their role as those responsible for the nation’s agricultural production.

He also stressed the need to meet technological requirements for harrowing and winding up the rice-transplanting in right season.

He underlined the need for all officials to take good care of the farmers’ living as their mothers would do by earnestly learning from the dear respected Kim Jong Un’s noble outlook on people.

He called on the relevant units to take steps for supplying farm materials needed for rice-transplantation in good time.

Then the premier visited the construction site of Hwangnam Youth Saltern in the province nearing its completion.

The construction of the saltern, covering hundreds of hectares, made it possible to produce a large quantity of salt for the economic development and improvement of people’s living standard in the province.

Looking round the saltern ensuring economic profitability, the premier called for upholding the party with increased output of salt by conducting an effective work for raising the workers’ technical skill.

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim visits Saenal County in Sinch’o'n County on 26 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim visits the construction of Hwangnam Youth Saltern on 26 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Choe Yong Rim Visits Research Institutes and Pyongyang Folk Park

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (6th L) visits the Pyongyang Floricultural Institute on 20 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported that Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim visited the Pyongyang Vegetable Research Institute, the Pyongyang Floriculture Institute and the construction of the Pyongyang Folk Park on 20 May (Sunday).  KCNA reports:

Premier Choe Yong Rim, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C. , the Workers’ Party of Korea, acquainted himself with the progress made in the projects for expanding the capacities of the water culture hot houses of the Pyongyang Vegetable Science Institute and the green houses of the Pyongyang Floricultural Institute Sunday on the spot.

The projects started on the initiative of leader Kim Jong Il who devoted himself to providing the people with a more bountiful life and highly civilized living conditions till the last moments of his life and under the deep care of the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

They are now making dynamic progress at their final phase thanks to the high revolutionary zeal of the builders.

After learning about the progress made in the above-said projects, Choe went round the water culture hothouses associated with the dynamic leadership provided by Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un to acquaint himself in detail with the production and supply of vegetables.

Underscoring the need to complete as early as possible the building of hothouses as required by the method of construction so that they may positively contribute to improving the people’s living standard, he took steps for settling the issues arising in the projects.

On the same day he visited the Pyongyang Folk Park where projects are progressing at their final phase and stressed the need to strictly observe the principle of historicism in the construction.

DPRK Choe Yong Rim tours the Pyongyang Vegetable Science Institute on 20 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim tours the construction site of the Pyongyang Folk Park on 20 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Choe Yong Rim Visits

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim inspects ongoing construction work on Nungra Islet in Pyongyang on 18 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 18 May (Saturday) that DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim visited ongoing construction on Nungra Islet in Pyongyang on 17 May.  KCNA reports:

The project is making brisk headway at its final phase under the meticulous guidance of the dear respected Kim Jong Un, conveying the legend about love of leader Kim Jong Il for the people.

The soldier-builders engaged in the project have made remarkable progress in the project in the spirit of conducting an offensive at a breath in hearty response to the order of Kim Jong Un, supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army.

The premier looked round different places of the pleasure ground including the Rungna Dolphin Aquarium to acquaint himself in detail with the progress made in the project.

He underscored the need for the builders to translate into reality the supreme commander’s outlook on people.

He also underlined the need to fully ensure quality in the construction including the modern Rungna Wading Pool as required by the new century and touched upon issues arising in the project.

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim is briefed about the construction of a water slide on Nungra Islet on 18 May 20120 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (R) is briefed about the production process at Sakchu Textile Factory on 17 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

On 17 May (Friday) Choe Yong Rim was reported to have visited factories in Ch’angso’ng and Sakchu Counties, North P’yo’ngan Province on Thursday (16 May).  KCNA reports:

Greater efforts are made for the development of the local industry in the county associated with the undying leadership feats of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il.

Choe toured various places including the Changsong Foodstuff Factory undergoing a dramatic change to acquaint himself in detail with the technical updating and production, and met innovators to give them a pep-talk.

Then followed a consultative meeting.

It stressed the importance of the local industry in improving the standard of the people’s living.

It took steps for the solution of problems arising in invigorating the central and local industries, producing more quality consumer goods of diverse kinds and sprucing up the county.

That day the premier went round the Sakju Textile Factory and the Sakju Foodstuff Factory, too.

Touring the factories increasing production by keeping themselves in full capacity operation, he called for launching dynamic drive for improving the standard of the people’s living by actively tapping raw materials available in localities.

View of Kwaksan land reclamation (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (R) and DPRK Vice Premier and State Planning Commission Chairman Ro Tu Chol (L) attend the opening ceremony of the Kwaksan Tideland phase of land reclamation on 16 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA screen grab)

Prior to his visit to Ch’angso’ng County, Choe’s attended the opening ceremony of the Kwaksan land reclamation, which is linked to ongoing land reclamation projects in North P’yo’ngan Province.  Land reclamation was part of Kim Jong Un’s remarks on land management, which were publicized earlier this month.

Workers and officials of the North Phyongan Province Tideland Reclamation Complex built breakwaters in sections extending several thousand meters linking Kwan, Talyang, Woejang and several other islets in a matter of one and half years, turning 1 600 hectares of tideland into cultivated land.

The completion of the projects made it possible for a huge farm to do safe farming and breed fishes and cultivate shallow-sea food. As a result, great progress was made in developing agriculture and improving people’s living standard and another change was made in the map of the country.

A ceremony of the completion of the projects took place on the spot Wednesday.

Present there were Choe Yong Rim, Ro Tu Chol and other officials concerned, officials and builders of the tideland reclamation complex and working people in Kwaksan County.

A letter of thanks from the Workers’ Party of Korea Central Committee was conveyed to the builders and officials, scientists and technicians who made distinguishing labor feats in the construction of the second-phase project.

The WPK Central Committee highly praised them for successfully building another monumental structure in the Songun era by displaying popular heroism and matchless devotion.

At the end of the ceremony, the participants went round different places of the completed project.

Kim Jong Un Visits Mangyongdae Amusement Park as Land Management Conference Held

Kim Jong Un (2nd L) tours Mangyongdae Fun Fair. Also in attendance is VMar Choe Ryong Hae (L), director of the KPA General Political Department. (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

DPRK state media reported on 9 May (Wednesday) that Kim  Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited Mangyo’ngdae Fun Fair (amusement park).  The amusement park has occasionally been featured in tourist photographs.  Some images have shown DPRK citizens using the park, however other pictures have shown the areas of the park, constructed in the 1980s, shuttered.  In its report on KJU’s visit, KCNA noted that he expressed his displeasure about the condition of the amusement park.  In undated images his visit, KJU is wearing a fedora of similar style to his grandfather, Kim Il Sung.

Kim Jong Un (2nd L) pulls weeds during his tour of Mangyongdae Fun Fair (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un (2nd L) appears to be complaining about cracked pavement during his tour of the Mangyongdae Fun Fair (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA reports :

Covering 70 hectares, the funfair has the first-phase funfair built in Kalmaeji Field and the second-phase one and a wading pool built on an expansion basis in Songsan Field.

The funfair has made positive contribution to the entertainment of people and school youth and children for decades.

He looked round various places of the funfair to acquaint himself in detail with its management and operation.

In front of the swingboat in the second-phase funfair, he, pointing at the seriously broken pavement in the compound of the funfair, asked officials when the road was last re-paved. It is regretful that the road has not been managed well, he said.

Putting his finger on the faulty arrangement of the bases of Oriental arborvitae and Sabina Chinensis, he said it would be good to have gravel stones planted in various shapes around the trees.

Seeing the weeds grown in between pavement blocks in the compound of the funfair, he, with an irritated look, plucked them up one by one. He said in an excited tone that he has never thought that the funfair is under such a bad state and a proverb that the darkest place is under the candlestick fits the funfair. He scolded officials, saying why such things do not come in their sight and querying could the officials of the funfair work like this, had they had the attitude befitting master, affection for their work sites and conscience to serve the people. Plucking up weeds can be done easily with hands as it is different from updating facilities, he added.

Saying that the amusement facilities have been put into operation with the paint scraped off, he noted that the officials and care-takers of the funfair have below-zero spirit of serving the people. This is not just a business issue but an issue concerning ideological viewpoint, he said in a serious tone.

He dropped in at the fountain pool where he stressed the need to tidy up the place even though it may not go operational for this or that reason.

Officials should draw a serious lesson from the tour of Mangyongdae Funfair, he said, adding that this occasion should be taken to issue a serious warning to the officials so that they can have proper spirit of serving the people.

He called for sprucing up the Mangyongdae Funfair as required by the Songun era. This process should be made an occasion of removing outdated ideological point of view from the heads of officials and ending their old work-style, he added.

He set forth the tasks for sprucing up the funfair.

He gave Choe Ryong Hae, director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People’s Army, the task for sprucing up the funfair as required by the new century by dispatching strong construction forces of the KPA.

The officials of the relevant fields including the Pyongyang City Committee of the WPK, ministries and national institutions should fulfill their duties and responsibilities in sprucing up the funfair to implement the WPK’s intention of serving people in practice.

He was accompanied by Choe Ryong Hae and Ma Won Chun, vice- department director of the WPK Central Committee.

Kim Jong Un and members of the DPRK central leadership pose for a commemorative photograph with participants in a meeting on land management (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un was also reported to have attended a photo op with participants in a land management conference held in Pyongyang.  KCNA reports:

He waved back to their enthusiastic cheers, giving a warm encouragement to them.

He expressed expectation and belief that all the service personnel and people including the participants in the meeting would carry out leader Kim Jong Il’s idea of land management and his last instructions without any slight deviation and concession so as to drastically change the appearance of the land to suit the features of a thriving socialist nation.

He was accompanied by leading officials of party, state and military organs Choe Yong Rim, Kim Jong Gak, Jang Song Thaek, Kim Ki Nam, Ri Myong Su, Mun Kyong Dok, Ro Tu Chol, Ri Ryong Ha and chief secretaries of the provincial committees of the WPK.

Photo op at Kumsusan Memorial Palace for participants in a meeting on land management held in Pyongyang on 8 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

View of rostrum at a meeting of land management activists held at the People’s Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on Tuesday, 8 May 2012. During the meeting a speech on land management by Kim Jong Un was publicized. (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Vice Premier Kim In Sik delivers a report during a meeting of land management activists on 8 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

The land management meeting was held at the People’s Palace of Culture on 8 May (Tuesday).  It is not clear if this was the large “homeland” meeting which was reported by Good Friends to take place in early May.  The meeting included the release of a speech on land management Kim Jong Un delivered on 27 April 2012.  KCNA reports:

The meeting discussed the tasks and practical measures to turn the country into a land of bliss for the people by highly displaying the validity and vitality of the movement initiated and led by leader Kim Jong Il under the guidance of the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

Present there were Choe Yong Rim, Kim Jong Gak, Kim Ki Nam, Ri Myong Su, Mun Kyong Dok and Ro Tu Chol, and officials of party and power organs, working people’s organizations, armed forces, economic institutions and the relevant field in Pyongyang and all provinces, cities and counties and activists of the movement.

The participants of the meeting heard “On Effecting a Drastic Turn in Land Management to Meet the Requirements for Building a Thriving Socialist Nation,” the work of Kim Jong Un published on the occasion of the meeting.

The work, published on April 27, 2012, said that President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il paid deep attention to the land management and worked heart and soul to turn the country beautiful.

It clearly indicates the tasks and ways for the officials and other working people in the field of land management to preserve and glorify the party’s idea and leadership feats performed in the land management and face-lift the appearance of the land to befit the land of a thriving socialist nation.

Kim In Sik, vice-premier of the DPRK Cabinet, in his report referred to the undying feats the peerlessly great persons performed in the work for improving the land construction and management.

He also touched on the successes made in the land construction and management since the policy on general mobilization for land management was put forth.

He underscored the need for all officials, party members and working people to dynamically wage a general offensive to successfully realize the far-reaching plan of the Party for land construction true to the leadership of Kim Jong Un and thus turn the country into a fairyland of socialism.

Speeches were made at the meeting.

The speakers expressed their determination to fully uphold the work of Kim Jong Un as their important guidelines for land management and to dynamically step up the worthwhile effort forturning the country more beautiful in hearty response to the call “Forward for Final Victory!” made by the supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army to all the people of the country.

A view of the venue and participants in a land management meeting in Pyongyang on 8 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Premier Visits Power Station and Coal Mine

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim tours the Kumyagang Army-People Power Station on May 5, 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 6 May (Sunday) that Premier Choe Yong Rim and DPRK Cabinet officials visited the Ku’myagang Army-People Power Station and the Ku’mya Youth Coal Mine in South Hamgyo’ng Province on 5 May (Saturday).  KCNA reports:

The first leg of his visit was the Kumyagang Army-People Power Station. He held a consultative meeting after going round various places of the station.

It took measures for boosting the electricity production by operating the generating equipment in full capacity and underscored the need for the related units to supply equipment and materials necessary for the operation of the power station.

The next leg of his visit was the Kumya Youth Coal Mine.

He learned in detail about the coal production there before holding a consultative meeting of the officials concerned on the spot.

The meeting called on the officials to take good care of workers true to the dear respected Kim Jong Un’s noble idea of loving people and took measures for providing a satisfactory supply of coal badly needed by various fields of the national economy.

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim tours Kumya Youth Coal Mine in South Hamgyong Province on 5 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Central Leadership Figures Visit Projects

Choe Ryong Hae is briefed about the construction of the Pyongyang Folk Park (L) on 4 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Choe Ryong Hae (3rd R) tours ongoing construction at Rungra Islet in Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 5 May (Saturday) that VMar Choe Ryong Hae, director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department (bureau) inspected ongoing construction work at Nungra Island and the Pyongyang Folk Park on 4 May (Friday).  It was Choe’s second reported solo public appearance since his elevation to the National Defense Commission and the Political Bureau Presidium.  KCNA reports:

The project is a giant undertaking to protect from flood the Rungra Pleasure Ground for People whose appearance is changing with each passing day according to the far-reaching plan of the WPK.

When the project is completed, it will help add beauty to the landscape of Rungra Islet and Panwol Islet and provide the people with a centre for a safer and highly civilized cultural and emotional life.

Having received the order of Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un, the solder-builders have made great achievements in carrying out every process of the project in a matter of just 40 odd days since the ground-breaking by displaying popular heroism and matchless devotion.

Going round different sections of the project, the director acquainted himself in detail with the progress made in the construction and the operation of vehicles. He also dropped in at bedrooms of soldier-builders and kitchens to learn about their living.

A consultative meeting took place at the work site.

Cranes at Tanchon Commerical Port (Photo: KCNA)

Crowd assembled for opening ceremony of Tanchon Port (Photo: KCNA)

Meanwhile, DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim spent several days in South Hamgyo’ng Province.  On Thursday (3 May) Choe attended the opening of Tanchon Port.  Among those who traveled out from Pyongyang for the port’s opening were Vice Premier and Chairman of the State Planning Commission Ro Tu Chol and KWP Secretary and Director of the Finance and Planning Department Kwak Pom Gi.  During the 4th Party Conference in April, Ro and Kwak were elected alternate (candidate) members of the Political Bureau.  Kwak was also elected the KWP Secretary and Director of the Finance and Planning Department.  From June 2010 to April 2011, Kwak was chief party secretary for South Hamgyo’ng Province.  KCNA reports:

The construction of the port with a cargo traffic capacity of millions of tons provides a guarantee for greatly contributing to developing the nation’s foreign trade and improving the people’s living standard.

A ceremony for the completion of the construction was held on the spot Thursday.

Present there were Choe Yong Rim, Kwak Pom Gi, Ro Tu Chol and other officials concerned, officials of the Ministry of Land and Marine Transport, builders and working people of industrial establishments in Tanchon City.

Read out there was a joint congratulatory message sent by the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the Cabinet of the DPRK to the officials and members of shock brigades who performed labor feats in the construction of the port.

The message highly praised them for successfully building another giant structure in the era of Songun greatly conducive to building an economic power true to the life-time desires and last instructions of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il.

It expressed belief that they would perform greater feats in the efforts for the country’s prosperity united close around the WPK Central Committee headed by the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

Minister of Land and Marine Transport Kang Jong Gwan, in his speech made for the occasion, said the construction of the port was a brilliant fruition of the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il who initiated the construction of the port and worked heart and soul to translate the desire of the President into a reality till the last moments of his revolutionary life and the clear-sighted guidance and meticulous care of Kim Jong Un.

Speakers at the ceremony pledged themselves to carry out their tasks including dredging in a short span of time in the same spirit as displayed in the construction of the port.

At the end of the ceremony the participants looked round different places of the port.

On the same day, Choe Yong Rim, Ro Tu Chol and other Cabinet officials visited Tanch’o'n Smeltery and the Tanch’o'n Magnesia Factory.  KCNA reports:

He went round the newly built cultural and welfare facilities and construction site of combined fire-proof materials production process.

Looking round the facilities he said that the officials should serve the convenience of the workers on a priority basis and look after their life with care, keeping deep in their minds the dear respected Kim Jong Un’s maxim of loving the people.

He also stressed the need to finish the construction of the fire-proof materials production process in a short period of time and keep the production going successfully by putting the production processes on a modern and scientific basis.

The premier went to the Tanchon Smeltery, which Kim Jong Il gave field guidance in his lifetime.

Touring various places of the Smeltery, he mentioned the need to increase the production of processed goods by introducing advanced technologies, setting up new processes, further heightening the level of technical skills and laying material and technical foundations for the timely and successful dressing of concentrated ores.

At a consultation meeting the premier stressed the need for everyone to turn out in the building of an economic power to register higher production records, remaining true to the noble intention of Kim Jong Il.

DPRK Choe Yong Rim (3rd L) is briefed about production at the Ryongsong Machine Complex in Hamhu’ng, South Hamgyo’ng Province on 4 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim tours the Hu’ngnam Fertilizer Complex in South Hamgyo’ng Province on 4 May 2012. Also seen in attendance is Vice Premier Ro Tu Chol (L) (Photo: KCNA)

On Friday (4 May), the same group visited factories in Hamhu’ng.  KCNA reports:

He looked round the February 8 Vinalon Complex, the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex, the Ryongsong Machine Complex, the Hungnam Pharmaceutical Factory and renovated Sinhung Restaurant associated with footprints of leader Kim Jong Il.

Workers in Hamhung City are bringing about a great surge in the drive to build an economic power, true to the behests of Kim Jong Il.

He acquainted himself with the production at the complexes and factory and convened consultative meetings.

The meetings discussed the issues of increasing and stepping up the production of carbide and vinalon as well as fertilizers.

The meetings also took measures for pushing ahead with the production of custom-built equipment including high-performance compressor needed for various fields of national economy, increasing the production of medicines and finishing the renovation project at an early date.

Then, he went round Sinhung Restaurant.

He called on the employees of the Restaurant to perform their mission and role as servants for people, true to the Party’s slogan “We Serve the People!”

Choe Yong Rim tours the 8 February Vinalon Complex (Photo: KCNA)

Choe Yong Rim visits Sinhung Restaurant (Photo: KCNA)

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.

Huichon Power Station Opened

Photo released by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 6, 2012 shows the inauguration ceremony held at the Huichon power station in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on April 5, 2012. The DPRK said on April 6 that its Huichon power station has started operations, which will help ease electricity shortages in the capital. The power station, located in Jagang Province, will also help protect cultivated land and residential areas along the Chongchon River from flooding, and ensure an ample supply of water to the industrial establishments in Huichon and Namhung areas, according to official media reports. (Xinhua/KCNA)

The DPRK opened the Hu’ich’o'n Power Station in Chagang Province on Thursday (5 April).  Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim, National Defense Commission [NDC] Vice Chairman and Minister of the People’s Armed Forces VMar Kim Yong Chun, KWP Secretary Choe Tae Bok, KWP Secretary and Director of General Affairs Tae Jong Su, Gen. Yun Jong Rin and DPRK Vice Premier and State Planning Commission Chairman Ro Tu Chol were among the members of the central leadership to attend the opening ceremony.  Choe Yong Rim delivered the keynote address.  Choe was last reported to have visit the construction site of Huichon Power Station on 20 February 2012.  Xinhua reports:

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Friday that its Huichon power station has started operations, which will help ease electricity shortages in the capital.

Premier Choe Yong Rim told an inauguration ceremony on Thursday that the Huichon power station was “a brilliant fruition of the wise guidance of late leader Kim Jong Il,” official newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported.

The power station, located in Jagang Province, will also help protect cultivated land and residential areas along the Chongchon River from flooding, and ensure an ample supply of water to the industrial establishments in Huichon and Namhung areas, according to official media reports.

The Central Committee and Central Military Commissions of the Workers’ Party of Korea sent a joint congratulatory message to builders and members of shock brigades.

The party “will always remember the heroic feats performed by the builders who erected a gigantic structure for the country’s prosperity and its people’s happiness,” the message said.

The message said it took only three years to complete the construction of the power station, a project which normally needs more than 10 years to finish.

The Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly issued a decree on April 1 awarding the Kim Il Sung Prize for the design of the Huichon power station.

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim delivers the keynote address during an opening ceremony of Huichon Power Station in Jagang Province on Thursday, April 5 (Photo: KCNA)

Photo released by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 6, 2012 shows the Huichon power station in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The DPRK said on April 6 that its Huichon power station has started operations, which will help ease electricity shortages in the capital. The power station, located in Jagang Province, will also help protect cultivated land and residential areas along the Chongchon River from flooding, and ensure an ample supply of water to the industrial establishments in Huichon and Namhung areas, according to official media reports. (Xinhua/KCNA)

Yonhap reports:

North Korea said Friday that it has dedicated a new hydroelectric power plant in its central northern area bordering China, a project long touted as a symbol of its bid for the construction of a “strong and prosperous state.”

“The construction of the Huichon Power Station has been completed in the DPRK,” the North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, adding that a dedication ceremony took place on Thursday.

DPRK is the acronym for the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

“The builders finished the construction of the power station in a matter of three years though it would have taken more than a decade at normal pace,” the KCNA said.

Chronic shortage of electricity and other energy has long been one of the problems beleaguering the North’s moribund economy, which has been under sanctions by the international community due to its nuclear and missile tests.

“The completion makes it possible to more satisfactorily settle the shortage of electricity in Pyongyang, protect cultivated land and residential areas along the River Chongchon from flooding and ensure an ample supply of industrial water to the industrial establishments in the Huichon and Namhung areas,” KCNA said.

The plant, which has a generating capacity of 300,000 kilowatts, was launched by late leader Kim Jong-il, who reportedly visited the construction site eight times before his death last December to order an early completion of the project.

North Korea has designated 2012 as a moment in its history to rise as “a great, powerful and prosperous nation” — a propaganda slogan that was spearheaded by Kim Jong-il.

New economic goals were announced in 2009 that called for undertaking major construction projects as well as modernizing farms and factories in time for the centennial birth of the communist country’s founder, Kim Il-Sung, on April 15.

Earlier, North Korea announced plans to launch a satellite on the back of a long-range rocket as part of the April celebrations. The international community has urged Pyongyang to cancel the launch, warning that it would be seen as a violation of a ban on missile activity.

The Associated Press reports:

The opening of the Huichon Power Station in Jagang Province, north of Pyongyang, was the first big ceremony in a month of celebrations timed for the April centenary of the birth of late President Kim Il Sung.

The power station on the Chongchon River, which had been under construction for more than three years, was a favored project of late leader Kim Jong Il. Kim had visited the project at least five times before his December death.

Son Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s new leader, visited the construction site with his father in August 2011.

The power station is North Korea’s largest, with two dams and a network of tunnels. The dams harness water from the Jangja and Chongchon Rivers. Construction on a second power station further down the Chongchon River is due to begin soon, said the top officials who spoke at Thursday’s ceremony.

North Korea suffers from an acute power shortage.

New economic goals announced in 2009 called for undertaking major construction projects such as the Huichon Power Station as well as modernizing farms and factories in time for the April 2012 festivities.

North Korea will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birth on April 15.

North Korea also has announced plans to launch a satellite on the back of a long-range rocket as part of the celebrations. The United States and other nations have urged Pyongyang to cancel the launch, warning that it would be seen as a violation of a ban on missile activity.

“The Rainy Season Has Come”

Photo: KBS World

Typhoon-5  Meari hit the Korean Peninsula on Sunday [26 June].  The storm was expected in Sinu’iju, North P’yo’ngan Province, on Monday [27 June] before hitting China’s east coast.  Xinhua reports:

Thousands of people have been evacuated amid storm-triggered floodings, authorities said Sunday.

The tropical storm is expected to make a landing near the city of Donggang, northeast Liaoning Province, or areas to the north of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at Monday dawn, the National Meteorological Center said in its latest bulletin.

The storm was projected at the Yellow Sea, about 35 kilometers southeast off the coast of eastern Shandong Province, at 5 p.m. Sunday, according to the bulletin. The storm is moving north at 20 to 25 kilometers per hour, packing sustained gusts of 23 meters per second near its center.

Strong winds and heavy rain are forecast near the coasts of Shandong, Liaoning and the province of Jilin. The strength of the storm will be reduced after landing, the meteorological authorities said.

Off the coast of Shandong, the stormy weather sank or stranded three vessels on Sunday. Twenty-six people on board of the mishapped vessels have all been rescued, according to a spokesman with the provincial maritime safety administration.

Gales whipped through the Bohai Strait and over the northern part of the Yellow Sea while torrential rains pounded most parts of Liaoning, eastern Shandong, and part of Jiangsu Province on Sunday, raising water level of the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu to critical level at one point.

According to KCNA, the storm affected areas of South Hwanghae Province early Sunday morning:

Typhoon-5 Meari is moving northward at speed of 60 km per hour in the DPRK.

Strong wind of 10-13 m per second hit Haeju and Kaesong cities, Ongjin and Sepho counties and other areas from 03:00 to 09:00 Sunday.

Rainfall of 105 mm was registered in Hoeyang County, 90 mm in Kosong and Pongchon counties, 79 mm in Thongchon and Chongdan counties, 76 mm in Yonan County, 73 mm in Kosan County and 70 mm in Changdo County from 12:00 Saturday to 12:00 Sunday.

Tidal waves are foreseen to hit coastal areas of South Hamgyong Province and Kangwon Province on Sunday afternoon.

Even as Meari weakens and makes its way to the PRC, heavy downpours are expected in the Peninsula (at least the southern part) on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to KBS World:

Typhoon Meari has passed over waters west of Baeknyeong Island and is soon expected to reach the North Korean border city of Sinuiju.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts the typhoon to weaken into an extratropical cyclone once it reaches Sinuiju Monday afternoon.

Rainclouds left by the typhoon will hang over South Korea on Monday, bringing five to 20 millimeters of more precipitation in the central region.

Skies over the nation will gradually clear up in the afternoon, but the monsoon front will return on Tuesday with showers falling over Jeju Island in the morning and the southern coastal regions by night.

People are urged to take precautions as a heavy downpour is forecast nationwide Wednesday.

On Friday Rodong Sinmun published an editorial about various instructions and measures to mitigate flooding and rain damage.  KCNA reported about Kim Cho’ng-il’s instruction “to establish measures well to prevent rainy season damage”:

A nationwide campaign has been launched in the country to prevent damage from heavy rainfalls.

Collieries and mines throughout the country are working on setting pit drainages in good condition.

In the sector of land and environmental conservation, necessary measures have been taken to improve reservoirs and streams and dredge rivers and waterways.

In the railway transport sector, a deep attention has been paid to protecting iron bridges, railways and other structures and facilities from flood and landslide.

Meanwhile, cooperative farms have directed much effort to preventing damage from flood and strong wind possible in the rainy season.

During the summer of 2010, the DPRK saw several hundred deaths and widespread damage due to heavy rains.  Some of the problems resulting from the rain could not be contained, and crossed the DPRK-ROK border such as box mines washing up in ROK, as well as malaria-infected mosquitoes caused by stagnant water.

A flooded village in Sinhu'ng, South Hamgyo'ng Province in KCTV footage from July 2010. (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)