Kim Jong-un, the chairperson of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, visited newly established factories in the provinces for a second straight day.
The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 21st that the chairperson attended a factory completion ceremony in Sinpo, South Hamgyong Province, on the 19th. Earlier, the chairperson attended a factory completion ceremony in Jangyon County, South Hwanghae Province, on the 18th, marking two consecutive days of visits to new provincial factories.
In photos released that day, the chairperson's wife, Ri Sol-ju, and their daughter, Ju-ae, also appear. It was their first time accompanying again in four days since appearing at a factory completion ceremony in Kangdong County on the outskirts of Pyongyang on the 15th. In the photos, Ju-ae, wearing a black coat, is inspecting factory facilities and tasting products with the chairperson.
The chairperson said, "Sinpo has secured reliable potential and a robust driving force to develop independently," adding, "The Pung-eodong district has been renewed as a center of regional economic development and a powerful base for improving people's livelihoods."
The chairperson added, "While exchanging experiences recently gained in the production processes of local industrial factories and generalizing the strengths, we must actively push so that light industry production bases across the country can all develop together."
Since last year, North Korea has been promoting the "20×10 local development policy" to narrow the urban-rural gap. The goal is to build new factories in 20 cities and counties each year and raise living standards within 10 years.
Accordingly, North Korea is holding factory completion ceremonies across the country ahead of year-end to showcase the achievement of results.