N. Korean leader orders anti-epidemic measures at pig farm

By Kim Hyun
SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has called for strict
anti-epidemic measures during his latest visit to a pig farm that was newly
constructed outside Pyongyang, state media said Monday.

Kim's latest field guidance trip to the Sokjong Pig Farm on the outskirts of the
capital came just one day after he reportedly visited goat and cotton farms run
by the Korean People's Army. Monday's reports said that in addition to the pig
farm, Kim has also toured a foodstuff farm and a fruit farm.
Kim "underscored the need for pig breeding farms and other farms to build a
sufficient number of anti-epidemic facilities and thoroughly establish a strict
anti-epidemic system," Kim was quoted by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) as
saying at the Sokjong Pig Farm.
The report did not say whether Kim referred to any specific epidemic, such as
swine flu, on which North Korea has stepped up quarantine measures but has yet to
report any infection case.
Kim then moved to the newly-built Sokjong Factory for Producing Sliced Vegetables
Preserved in Soy Sauce, a kind of pickle called jangajji in Korean that serves as
a small side dish eaten with rice.
Another dispatch by the KCNA early Monday said Kim has given field guidance at
the Taedonggang Combined Fruit Farm newly constructed by the Ministry of People's
Security.
Kim was briefed on the farm, looked round "for hours" and acquainted himself with
its construction and fruit production there, the report said.
"He expressed great satisfaction that soldier-builders built a modern large-scale
fruit producer of world standard in a matter of a few months out of patriotism,"
the report said, adding that the leader sent vehicles and entertainment equipment
to the farm as gifts.
"It is necessary not only to tend the orchards well but plant fruit trees in a
big way everywhere including around schools and public buildings, on the
roadsides and around dwelling houses," Kim was quoted as saying.
On all the visits reported Monday, Kim was accompanied by Workers' Party
secretary Kim Ki-nam and department directors, Jang Song-thaek and Pak Nam-gi.
Jang is married to Kim's only sister, Kim Kyong-hui.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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