He, 54, had the honor to get praises from General Secretary Kim Jong Il. During his field guidance to a factory in Jagang Province last year, the leader met Jong and appreciated what he did for the technological updating of the factory, calling him Hong Kil Dong of a modern version.

Hong Kil Dong, hero of a Korean classical story, has become a synonym for those who achieve great things with a superb skill.

Jong, after graduating from Kim Chaek University of Technology in Juche 75 (1986) and becoming a teacher, has greatly contributed to streamlining many industrial establishments throughout the country, including Dressing Plant No. 3 of the Komdok Mining Complex, Pyongyang Children's Foodstuff Factory, Hamhung Woodenware Factory, Taedonggang Beer Factory and Pyongyang Textile Machine Plant.

Last year, he rendered services to basing the production processes of dried fruit slices of the Taedonggang Combined Fruit Farm on a computer-controlled system and streamlining a factory in Jagang Province.