Song Yong Myong, an official of the Ministry of General Education under the Education Commission, told KCNA:

"During the months swimming is most popular.

In this period intensive swimming teaching is given at indoor and outdoor swimming pools of primary and secondary schools across the country. Teachers are busy teaching schoolchildren how to swim."

Swimming techniques are also introduced by local TV.

Swimming pools across the country, including those at Kim Il Sung University, Changgwang Health Complex and Namhung Youth Chemical Complex, are now crowded with people.

Kim Chol Ryong, a pupil at Pyongyang Primary School No 4, said:

"I come here the Changgwang Health Complex every day after school.

I learnt breaststroke last year and I am now learning backstroke. My father, a researcher, and my sister, a student, too, spend time here after their work."

Swimming is gaining momentum also in the sea, rivers and lakes.

Hyon Song Hui, a worker at the Pyongyang Thermal Power Complex, said she was planning to go to a beach next week, together with her friends.