N. Korean leader inspects thermal plant, coal mine

SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has inspected a
thermal power plant and a coal mine and demanded efficient management of the
facilities to maintain a stable supply of the country's electricity, the North's
media reported Tuesday.

Kim gave "field guidance" to the Pukchang Thermal Power Complex and the Feb. 8
Jikdong Youth Coal Mine, both in South Pyongan Province, the North's Korea
Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The report gave no date for the visits as usual.
"The complex's position and role are very important as it takes a big portion in
the nation's electricity output," Kim said after looking around the thermal power
complex, according to KCNA.
The report also said that Kim underlined "the need to increase coal production at
the relevant coal mines" to maintain power output at the thermal complex.
Kim's latest public appearances follow his meeting with South Korea's Hyundai
Group Chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun on Sunday, where the two agreed to resuscitate
stalled tourism projects and reunions of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean
War.
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)