Kim Jong Un Visits Kanggye Tractor Plant

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) tours the Kanggye General Machine Plant in Chagang Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

DPRK state media reported on 21 June (Friday) that Kim Jong Un visited the Kanggye General Tractor Plant in Chagang Province.  He was accompanied by Choe Ryong Hae, Pak Tae Song, Kang Kwan Il, Hwang Pyong So, Hong Yong Chil, Yun Tong Hyon, Pak Jong Chon, Kim Taek Gu and Ryu Yong Sop.  Kim Jong Un’s last reported public appearance was his visit to the Namhu’ng Youth Chemical Complex.

Kim Jong Un’s first stop was to the plant’s revolutionary history museum.  After looking at photos of his father, late leader Kim Jong Il, and his grandfather, DPRK founder and president Kim Il Sung, he remarked that “they attached great importance to this plant as it plays an important role in developing the nation’s machine-building industry.”  He also read the lyrics to Kanggye General Tractor Plant’s song and requested that two plant officials accompanying him to sing the song.  He “praised them for singing the song well” and said “it was a good song as it reflected the spirit of the workers of the plant.”  Kim Jong Un “praised the plant for conducting effective education of its employees in the leadership exploits of the great men of Mt. Paektu after building the revolutionary museum well. Noting that it is a good center for education” and according to KCNA said “stands out in a sharp contrast to the plant [18 January General Machine Plant] he criticized while visiting it a few days ago.”  He then went to review the tractor plant’s products.  According to KCNA he “expressed satisfaction over the fact that the plant manufactured new modern machines of Korean style by its own efforts and with indigenous technology” and said “it is good to have the spirit of buckling down to the work full of confidence, not disappointed in any difficulties.”

Kanggye General Tractor Plant in Kanggye, Chagang Province (Photo: Google image).

Kim Jong Un speaks during a tour of Kanggye General Machine Plant (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un is briefed about a machine at Kanggye General Tractor Plant (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un visits the employees’ swimming pool at Kanggye General Tractor Plant (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un watches the performance “Our Plant Shining with the Bloodline of Mt. Paektu” by the Kanggye General Machine Plant’s art propaganda squad (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un watches a performance by the Kanggye General Tractor Plant art propaganda squad (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un (C) poses for a commemorative photograph with personnel and managers of the Kanggye General Tractor Plant (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un poses for a commemorative photograph with managers and employees of the Kanggye General Machine Plant (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un toured several production units.  He “encouraged the workers and technicians devoting their wisdom and enthusiasm to the production of machine” and ” praised its workers for keeping their work sites neat and tidy.”  He also “called for intensifying the work to spruce up the inside of the plant like a palace and its outside like a park.”  He visited a swimming pool and gymnasium for plant employees.  Kim Jong Un “praised officials of the plant and a relevant field for having made devoted efforts to provide its workers with ample conditions for cultural rest” and said that “I am very pleased to see the modern swimming pool and gymnasium.”  Kim Jong Un also toured the commissary, dining hall and a bean processing factory.

According to KCNA he “was very pleased to hear that the plant has detailed plans for daily service, monthly special service, service to couples of innovators, service to mothers and service on birthdays and service is given according to them” and “urged the officials to pay primary attention to the work for improving the standards of material and cultural life of the workers.”  He also remarked that, “I am most pleased when I visit any plant which is successful in supply service.”  He ended his visit to Kanggye General Tractor Plant by posing for commemorative photographs with employees and watching a performance titled “Our Plant Shining with the Bloodline of Mt. Paektu” given by the plant’s art propaganda squad.  Kim Jong Un “congratulated them on their successful performance” and said “I drew great strength while watching the performance. It helped me renew the resolution to more successfully make revolution with our reliable workers in the future.”