Kim Jong Il continued his field guidance tours of all parts of the country until his last days without taking time to have rest.

Last year the DPRK witnessed tremendous achievements in the building of a prosperous and powerful nation. Solid foundations for building a strong economy were laid in the country.

The torch of the industrial revolution in the new century was kindled in industrial establishments across the country, including the Huichon Ryonha General Machine Factory, and the country's economy has entered the stage of building a powerful country with the knowledge-based economy.

Great achievements have also been made in the effort for use of geothermal and solar energies.

The Huichon Power Station and many other large construction projects have been carried out throughout the country.

South Hamgyong Province has taken the lead in the effort for the building of a strong economy.

Amidst the upsurge for improving the people's living standard, light industry factories were renovated and modern stockbreeding and fish and fruit farming bases were constructed.

A gigantic project for turning the capital city of Pyongyang into a world-class magnificent city is going on and socialist fairylands have emerged in different parts of the country.

The drama "We Will Recollect Today" and other masterpieces representing literature and arts of the Songun (military-first) were created one after another and a great progress made in popular art.