The Korea Herald

피터빈트

N. Korea's Kim visits machinery exhibition in 1st public appearance since congress

By 임정요

Published : May 13, 2016 - 10:35

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited a machinery exhibition in his first public field inspection since he was appointed the chairman of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea earlier this week, according to the country's state news outlet on Friday.

"Kim Jong-un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, went around the exhibition of machinery and equipment manufactured as labor gifts of loyalty to be presented to the congress of the motherly party," the North's Korean Central News Agency said in a report.

The news wire did not date the latest visit, but it was Kim's first public appearance since the WPK's four-day congress that ended on Monday.

Kim was appointed to the chairmanship at the congress as he further tightened his hereditary power over the country. He has been running the country since late 2011 after the sudden death of his father Kim Jong-il.

The party's top echelon accompanied Kim to the exhibition, including Hwang Pyong-so, Pak Pong-ju and Choe Ryong-hae, all members of the standing committee of the party's politburo.

Kim expressed "great satisfaction" and said it is "a great success" after viewing new types of tractors, trucks and cargo ships on display, according to the KCNA.

The leader noted that the products "proved once again that self-development is the best and self-reliance and self-development are the way for us to live. He also called for the eradication of imports, the KCNA said.

Kim expressed hopes that "all the service personnel and people would make eye-opening achievements one after another in implementing the line and policies set forth at the Seventh Congress of the WPK," the media outlet added. (Yonhap)