The first leg of his guidance was the Jagangdo Refinery.

He went round several production processes to learn in detail about the technological updating and production there.

Watching molten iron pouring down from modern electric furnace and ovens and new modern production processes the general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea expressed great satisfaction over the praiseworthy work done by the officials, workers and technicians of the refinery in a short time. He highly appreciated their success.

The party members and other working people of the refinery have built new technological processes, thus bringing about remarkable progress in the production of non-ferrous metals, he said. This stirring change clearly proves once again the validity of the principle that the biggest reserve for the increased production lies in the development of science and technology, he added.

He went round newly-built workers' cultural hall and other cultural and supply service facilities of the refinery.

He advanced tasks for the refinery, saying it holds an important post in the country's economic development.

An important task before the refinery is to put the production going at a high rate and, at the same time, intensify mass technical innovation movement to steadily increase the actual extract rate, he said.

The next leg of his guidance was the Amnokgang Tire Factory.

The chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK went round the Moulding Shop, the Finishing Shop and other production processes to learn in detail about technological updating and production there.

The workers of the factory conducted dynamic movement to put the production processes on modern and scientific basis, thus increasing production and boosting the environment, he said. He highly appreciated the efforts made by the officials, workers and technicians of the factory and highly praised their success.

The factory has an important duty to fulfill now that there is an increasing demand for tires due to the drastic increase of vehicles, he said, advancing tasks for the factory.

He stressed the need to step up the drive to put the production processes on modern and scientific basis and conduct technical innovation movement to produce more durable quality tires and boost credit with Amnokgang tires.

Accompanying him were Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of 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, alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the C.C., the WPK, and Ju Yong Sik, chief secretary of the Jagang Provincial Committee of the WPK.