The first leg of his guidance was the Paekunsan Combined Foodstuff Factory.

He was briefed on its history. Then he went round different production processes including noodle production process, confectionary production process and bread production process to learn in detail about the reconstruction and technological equipment of the factory and the production there.

After learning in detail about the production of varieties of special foodstuffs produced at the factory, he was very pleased that it became possible to supply greater quantities of tasty and nutritious foodstuffs to the people.

A torch lit by the WPK at the Samilpho Special Products Factory last year spread like a prairie fire to build combined foodstuff factories in various provinces one after another, he said, adding that this proves that when the officials work tenaciously despite difficulties and hardships with the spirit of devotedly serving the people, it is possible to bring greater happiness and comfort to the people even under the present conditions.

He put forward the tasks which would serve as guidelines for managing and operating the factory, expressing expectation and conviction that the employees of the factory would boost the production of foodstuffs to make a positive contribution to improving the people's diet with ardent love for them.

The next leg of his guidance was the Hamhung Disabled Soldiers' Essential Plastic Goods Factory.

He looked round various production processes to see varieties of products made by the factory and acquaint himself in detail with production there.

He expressed great satisfaction over the fact that disabled soldiers and their families of the factory have produced a lot of goods of diverse varieties conducive to improving the standard of people's living in the same spirit and stamina as displayed in those days of soldiers on the frontline, true to the teaching of President Kim Il Sung that flowers should be kept in bloom. And he highly appreciated the laudable done by them.

The injection-molded crystal sandals, in particular, produced by the factory are beautiful in their shape and color and very comfortable for use, he said, adding that this is the precious fruition of the ardent love of the disabled soldiers for the people.

Noting that the disabled soldiers who unhesitatingly risked their youth and lives for the party and the leader, the motherland and the people should be accorded preferential treatment socially, he underscored the need for the party organizations at different levels to always pay deep attention to their work and life.

He advanced important tasks which would serve as guidelines for managing and operating the factory.

Kim Jong Il learned about the construction of the Hungnam Pharmaceutical Factory.

After being briefed on the factory in front of its model board, he learned in detail about the progress made in the construction of the factory, varieties of medicines produced by it and their efficacy.

He expressed great satisfaction over the fact that the workers of the factory have completed in the main the construction of production buildings and are waging a high-pitched drive to install modern pharmaceutical equipment.

He highly appreciated the exploits performed by the workers of the factory, noting that it was a signal success that it trebled the production of medicines as compared with that in the past while dynamically pushing ahead with a huge construction project.

He set forth tasks to be implemented to complete the construction of the factory ahead of schedule and boost the production of medicines.

He expressed expectation and conviction that the officials, workers and technicians of the factory would wind up the construction of the factory ahead of schedule and bring about a leap forward and innovations in the production of medicines.

He was accompanied by Kwak Pom Gi, chief secretary of the South Hamgyong Provincial Committee of the WPK, Kim Ki Nam and Hong Sok Hyong, members of the Political Bureau and secretaries of the C.C., the WPK, Kim Kyong Hui, member of the Political Bureau and department director of the C.C., the WPK, Jang Song Thaek, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK and vice-chairman of the NDC, Pak To Chun and Thae Jong Su, alternate members of the Political Bureau and secretaries of the C.C., the WPK.