N. Korean leader confident over building 'thriving' nation

SEOUL, Sept. 15 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il voiced confidence
that his country will become a "thriving" nation during visits to modernized
machine plants, Pyongyang's media said Tuesday.

Kim's visits to the Pukjung Machine Complex and the Rakwon Machine Complex in the
North Phyangan Province, which borders China, came two days after he inspected a
naval unit.
Kim "stressed that the DPRK's (North Korea) cause of building a thriving nation
is sure to be successfully accomplished thanks to such heroic workers as the
(province's) workers", the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in an English
language report.
The Pukjung complex originally started as a heavy oil engine manufacturer after
the 1950-53 Korean War, but "has turned into a large machine-building center
making a great contribution to the nation's shipbuilding industry and the
development of economy," the report said.
Kim "expressed great satisfaction over the fact that the workers of the complex
produced efficient machines as required by the new century," it said.
Kim also praised workers at the Rakwon complex who have newly manufactured a
"modern" oxygen plant.
Kim was accompanied by Kim Phyong-hae, chief secretary of the North Phyongan
provincial committee of the Workers' Party, Kim Ki-nam, a secretary of the
party's central committee, and party department directors, Pak Nam-gi and Jang
Song-thaek, the KCNA said. Kim had a photo session with the workers, it added.
Kim's latest trip was his 105th this year. He made 74 trips and 54 trips during
the same period last year and in 2007, respectively, according to Seoul's
Unification Ministry.
105, 74 54
hkim@yna.co.kr
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