Kim Jong-un's First Official Activity Focuses on 'Economy'… Visits Fertilizer Plant, Calls for "Direct Breakthrough"

Local Inspection of Suncheon Fertilizer Plant Construction Site
"Economic Efficiency and Self-Reliance" Emphasized for Direct Breakthrough
Confidence Expressed Without Hesitation Amid Iran Crisis

On the 7th, the Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, visited the Suncheon Fertilizer Factory in Suncheon City, South Pyongan Province, as his first local guidance schedule of the new year.

The first public activity of Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, in 2020 was in the field of 'economy.'

North Korea's state media, Korean Central News Agency, reported on the 7th, "Our Party, State, and Armed Forces' Supreme Leader Comrade Kim Jong-un provided on-site guidance at the construction site of the Suncheon Fertilizer Factory."

Chairman Kim opened his remarks by saying, "The construction of the Suncheon Fertilizer Factory is one of the most important economic tasks emphasized by the Party to be carried out in 2020, the first year of the frontal breakthrough campaign, and I came to this construction site as the first guidance project of the new year to reiterate this."

He instructed, "The Party will urgently address the funding guarantee issues raised in this project, and the Party will firmly support this project. The Cabinet, Ministry of Chemical Industry, and Ministry of Mining Industry should take a responsible attitude and perspective and vigorously promote it."

He also said, "The significant project of establishing a modern industry capable of mass-producing high-concentration nitrogen fertilizer is a good attempt that thoroughly aligns with the Party's frontal breakthrough ideology and intention, relying entirely on our own strength, technology, and efforts. We must continue to achieve excellent results through this self-reliant struggle."

Chairman Kim's choice of the economic sector, especially agriculture, as the first official activity of the new year is evaluated as expressing the will to overcome the prolonged sanction situation through self-reliance.

The tone that declared self-reliance in response to sanctions, which replaced the New Year's address with a report at the Workers' Party plenary meeting, was also reaffirmed.

Chairman Kim said, "It is natural that flags fly when the wind blows. The more hostile forces blow headwinds, the more our red flag will fly vigorously without a crease."

He emphasized, "No matter how severe the situation is and how many obstacles block the way ahead, if we keep the legitimacy of our cause as our belief, trust our own strength, and continuously demonstrate high responsibility, dedication, and proactiveness, our ideals and aspirations will surely be realized by our own hands."

In his report on the last day of the 5th Plenary Meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party, Chairman Kim emphasized the establishment of agricultural science research institutions and the cultivation of agricultural science and technology talents, stating, "The agricultural front is the main strike front of the frontal breakthrough campaign."

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un visited the Suncheon In Fertilizer Plant in Suncheon City, South Pyongan Province, as his first local guidance schedule of the new year, reported the Korean Central News Agency on the 7th.

Furthermore, through this public activity, Chairman Kim broke public expectations. After the death of Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, in a U.S. airstrike on the 3rd, there had been predictions that Chairman Kim would refrain from external activities.

Chairman Kim's public activity came five days after North Korean media reported on the visit to the Kumsusan Sun Palace on the 2nd.

Meanwhile, accompanying Chairman Kim on this on-site guidance were Jo Yong-won, First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party, Ma Won-chun, Director of the State Affairs Commission Design Bureau, and Ri Jong-nam, Deputy Director of the Party. At the site, Premier Kim Jae-ryong, Minister of Chemical Industry Jang Gil-ryong, and officials from the factory construction command were present.

The Suncheon Fertilizer Factory in Suncheon City, South Pyongan Province, which Chairman Kim visited that day, began construction in 2017.

Previously, North Korea had operated the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex in South Pyongan Province, the Suncheon Lime Nitrogen Fertilizer Factory, and the Haeju Fertilizer Factory in South Hwanghae Province to increase agricultural production and alleviate chronic food shortages.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.