, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, gave field guidance to the March 16 Factory and set forth the task for its updating.

He looked round rooms devoted to the education in revolutionary history and to the history of the factory, which was founded on March 16, 1977 and developed into a large-scale truck producer significantly conducive to developing the economy of the country and building up its defense capability under the care of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il.

He said that the March 16 Factory could cover a proud course of development under the wise guidance and meticulous care of the great leaders, who clearly showed the road ahead of the factory, choosing the site for it and naming the first middle-size lorry produced there "Thaebaeksan".

He gave a high appreciation of the merits made by the workers of the factory, noting that over the past years they have supplied lots of trucks to the grand socialist construction sites and the People's Army, thus greatly contributing to the prosperity of the country.

The rooms for education in revolutionary history and the history of the factory were arranged well, he said, stressing the need to direct primary efforts to the ideological education so as to inspire the workers of the factory to creditably carrying out their militant tasks with pride and honor of working at an important unit to which the Party attaches great importance.

Then, the Supreme Leader went round general assembling workshop, combined processing workshop, sheet metal processing shop and other parts of the factory.

He noted with appreciation that the officials, workers and technicians of the factory are making collective innovation in the production of Korean-style heavy-duty vehicles while solving the knotty problems by dint of science and technology under the uplifted banner of self-reliance.

A heavy-duty vehicle at the stage of completion is very spectacular and he feels very encouraged to see the perfect operation of its power transmission system, he said, adding that if the vehicle is completed this will be another admirable achievement in the efforts for the country's prosperity.

He said with full conviction that a modern automotive industry can be established with the March 16 Factory as a mother base since the January 18 General Machine Factory mass-produces engines with high performance and the sections related to the motor vehicle production have solid material and technical foundations.

Calling for updating the March 16 Factory to fully meet the increasing demand of the national economy for transport and build up the country's defense capability, he set forth the task for renovating it as required by the era of knowledge-based economy.

A fresh turning point should be made in raising the country's automotive industry to the world level, he said, ardently calling for pushing ahead with the modernization of the factory together to prove that this resolve was a just step for building a rich and powerful nation.

He expressed belief that the officials and employees of the March 16 Factory would fully discharge their honorable duty, always cherishing the trust of the Party, and had a photo session with them.

Accompanying him were O Su Yong and Pak Thae Song, vice-chairmen of the WPK Central Committee, and Hong Yong Chil, Jo Yong Won and Yu Jin, leading officials of the C.C., WPK.

Political News Team