After being briefed on the mine before a huge map showing the panoramic view of the mine, Kim Jong Il went round different places to learn in detail about the progress made in the preparations for reenergizing the production.

He encouraged the officials, workers and technicians of the mine, praising them for steadily pushing forward the work for putting it on a modern and scientific basis after bravely joining in a drive for bringing about a new and great revolutionary surge.

The Hyesan Youth Mine has an important role to play in non-ferrous metal production, he said, setting forth important tasks to serve as guidelines for developing the mine under a long-term plan.

An immediate task facing the mine is to complete its technological updating in a brief span of time to radically increase the production of mineral ore, he noted.

If the mine with a large deposit of ore of rich contents puts all its production processes on a modern and scientific basis as it has favorable mining conditions, it can sharply boost its production, he said, underlining the need to channel all the efforts into this work and turn it into a leading non-ferrous metal producer.

He called for updating and scientizing the production processes on the basis of latest science and technology like the March 5 Youth Mine and, at the same time, turning the miners' district into a socialist land of bliss so that the advanced culture of the working class might come into full bloom.

He expressed great expectation and belief that the miners of the Hyesan Youth Mine would creditably discharge their honorable mission and duty as scouts and pioneers in the socialist economic construction, standing in the front ranks of the above-said marchers and thus display the heroic stamina and the spirit of winning a sure victory in the drive for building a thriving nation.

He was accompanied by Kim Ki Nam, member of the Political Bureau and secretary 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, Thae Jong Su, alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the C.C., the WPK, Ju Kyu Chang, alternate member of the Political Bureau and department director of the C.C., the WPK, Ri Myong Su, minister of People's Security, and Hyon Chol Hae, department director of the NDC.