Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of the North Korean Workers’ Party, conducted his first on-site inspection following the 9th Party Congress. This visit appears to emphasize the new five-year plan’s focus on the economy.
The party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Monday that Kim visited the Sŏngwon Cement Joint Venture on the previous day to congratulate and encourage the working class to embark on a new struggle to implement the Party Congress’s decisions.
The newspaper highlighted on its front page that the Sŏngwon Cement Joint Venture has materially supported the Party’s construction plans through increased cement production over the past five years. It underscored Kim’s visit as his first schedule after the Party Congress. In his speech, Kim referenced the development history of the Sŏngwon Cement Joint Venture. He presented unwavering loyalty to the Party and the homeland, bold innovation that overcomes limitations, and a consistent emphasis on science and technology as the keys to its progress.
Kim also inspected production conditions in the central control room and took commemorative photos with innovators. He emphasized cement production as a strategic indicator for national development and stressed that they must continue to lead in increasing production.
The second page featured the full text of Kim’s speech at the Sŏngwon Cement Joint Venture. He detailed cement production achievements over the past five years, stating that heavy industry has driven overall socialist construction. Kim reiterated the need for higher quality development and expansion of production capacity during the new five-year plan period.
The third page highlighted the atmosphere surrounding the successfully held Party Congress. An editorial called for an in-depth study of the 9th Party Congress documents, presenting literature study as the primary task. It reported that Congress participants have returned to their respective fields to carry out organizational political work. Leaders from central agencies in sectors like electricity, coal, and metallurgy held meetings to discuss sector-specific tasks. The page also introduced exemplary agitators and model propagandists, emphasizing efforts to strengthen ideological work.
The fourth page showcased the establishment of a domestic paper production process at the Ŭnsan Paper Mill, featuring the achievements of Ri Yong-il, director of the Paper Engineering Institute at the State Academy of Sciences, in developing papermaking technology.
The fifth page reported that increased production for the new five-year plan is gaining momentum across various sectors of the national economy. It detailed developments in the metal industry, including Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex, Chŏllima Steel Complex, and Musan Mining Complex, as well as fertilizer production bases in Namhung and Hungnam, and the Pyongnam coal mine.
The sixth page included a statement from the Foreign Ministry spokesperson released the previous day. The statement strongly condemned U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, characterizing them as illegal and unjust acts of aggression.
