North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the construction site of a school supplies factory, criticizing officials for the lack of progress and ordering the project’s completion by year-end.
On Wednesday, the state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported that Kim personally inspected the construction of both a school supplies factory and an educational equipment factory on the previous day. Party Secretary Jo Yong-won accompanied him, while Defense Minister No Kwang-chol and military commanders involved in the construction welcomed Kim’s arrival.
After reviewing the school supplies factory’s progress, Kim expressed frustration, noting that despite the emphasis placed on strengthening the material and technical foundation of the education sector at every Central Committee plenary meeting in recent years, construction had stalled midway through this year – five and a half years into the project.
He attributed this delay to the poor attitudes of Cabinet members and education sector leaders, insisting that the reasons for neglecting such crucial projects must be thoroughly examined at the upcoming December plenary meeting.
Kim then toured the educational equipment factory site, issuing directives to complete construction by year-end and commence operations in the first half of next year.
The Supreme Leader also praised the pride and sense of duty displayed by the soldier-builders on site, encouraging them to create a monumental structure that showcases the remarkable progress of their era. In response, the builders pledged their unwavering commitment.
This on-site inspection by Kim is seen as a push to accelerate the construction of the school supplies factory before the year-end performance review, underscoring his prioritization of strengthening the country’s educational infrastructure.