Last year witnessed an array of epochal successes that demonstrated the tremendous strength of the DPRK.

Remarkable entities contributing to the enhancement of self-reliance of the national economy came into being amid the passionate enthusiasm of the Korean people who vigorously took the first step forward from the beginning of the year while taking self-reliance as their lifeline.

The modern Kwangchon Chicken Farm was built as a new standard and model for the country’s poultry farming, the Kangdong Combined Greenhouse Farm, a new generation of greenhouse with much greater scale and production capacity than the Ryonpho Greenhouse Farm, was inaugurated, and the irrigation project was carried out ahead of schedule.

According to the Workers’ Party of Korea’s long-term strategy for regional development, big efforts were made to radically develop the rural communities and the regional economy in a Korean way.

In December last year, a grand ceremony was held in Songchon County to inaugurate regional-industry factories in the presence of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un . Similar modern factories were also built in other 19 cities and counties across the country, making the first breakthrough in the 10-year campaign for regional rejuvenation.

Additional efforts were made to secure the driving force of regional economic development by making the most of different local resources and natural and geographical environment, with the project for the Sinpho City Offshore Farm completed.

In the capital city of Pyongyang, Rimhung and Jonwi streets epitomizing the future of the country sprang up, and the third-stage project of building 10 000 flats in the Hwasong area was launched. Rural housing construction was pushed ahead in all parts of the country. “Cultured rural towns” and beautiful villages mushroomed in the flood-hit areas of North Phyongan Province, Jagang Province and other parts of the country.

In December last year an inauguration ceremony of dwelling houses took place with splendour in flood-stricken areas of North Phyongan Province, attended by Kim Jong Un .

New material and technical foundations were laid in the sectors of science, education and public health.

The precious outcome the Korean people have achieved by their own efforts will serve as a firm springboard for building a foundation for independent and sustainable development in all regions, fields and sectors and thus developing the new phase of the overall national prosperity into an uninterrupted leap forward and giant expansion.

Through last year’s struggle, in which the overall development of socialist construction was vigorously pushed forward, the Korean people cultivated the spirit of self-sustenance and experienced their tremendous self-reliance once again.

They have keenly realized the immutable truth that self-development is the best and self-reliance is the only option to further develop and grow stronger.

Jong Hwa Sun