North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

Kim Jong Un Visits Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill

Kim Jong Un tours the Kim Cho'ng-suk Textile Mill in Pyongyang (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un tours the Kim Cho’ng-suk Textile Mill in Pyongyang (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un’s last observed appearance was his visit to Ku’mkop Foodstuffs Factory

DPRK state media reported on January 28 (Thursday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the Kim Jong Suk (Kim Cho’ng-suk) Textile Mill in Pyongyang.  In attendance with him were An Jong Su (Director of the Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Light Industry Department), Jo Yong Won (deputy director of the WPK Organization Guidance Department) and Pak Myong Sun (deputy director of the WPK Light Industry Department).

Kim Jong Un examines a backpack manufactured at the Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill (Photo: KCNA/Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un smokes a cigarette and examines a backpack manufactured at the Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill (Photo: KCNA/Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un looks at schoolbags and other products of the Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill (Photos: KCNA).

Kim Jong Un looks at schoolbags and other products of the Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill (Photos: KCNA).

After arriving at the factory, he looked at backpacks and other schoolbags for DPRK students and said “the longer one see bags for students, the more fashionable they look…their styles and colors are diverse and can match ones of other countries in all aspects such as convenience, usage and beauty.”  He toured the production line for cloth bags.  According to KCNA, he noted “with great satisfaction that the process is the local manufactured production process, Korean-style production process desired by the Workers’ Party of Korea.  It is possible to produce bag cloth with homemade tetron rayon yard produced by flexible rapier looms, high-temperature, high-pressure roller dyeing machines, etc., manufactured with indigenous efforts and technology.”

Kim Jong Un is briefed about a textile machine during a visit to Kim Cho'ng-suk Textile Mill.  Also in attendance is WPK Light Industry Department Director An Jong Su (a) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un is briefed about a textile machine during a visit to Kim Cho’ng-suk Textile Mill. Also in attendance is WPK Light Industry Department Director An Jong Su (a) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un is briefed about production at Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill in Pyongyang.  Also in attendance is WPK Light Industry Department deputy director Pak Myong Sun (a) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un is briefed about production at Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill in Pyongyang. Also in attendance is WPK Light Industry Department deputy director Pak Myong Sun (a) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Jong Un toured production lines for synthetic fiber, weaving and dyes and “gave important instructions to be implemented to manage and operate the mill including the issue of boosting the production of quality clothing materials and varieties of clothes such as cloth for school uniforms.”  He said that it was “nice to see the modern bag cloth production base built with locally manufactured equipment” and broadly smiling that he “felt satisfied and pleased when picturing…students going to and from school with cheerful laughter, carrying with them locally produced fashionable bags.”  Jong noted that “he was encouraged to see the mill operating in full capacity” and “emphasized that machines running to keep production at a high rate and the spirit of self-reliance displayed at the mill herald the victory of the revolution as they instill the conviction of sure victory and optimism into the people who will enjoy all blessings in the world in the near future and deal deadly sledgehammer  blows at the enemies working with bloodshot eyes to block the advance of the DPRK.”

Kim Jong Un tours the Kim Cho'ng-suk Textile Mill in Pyongyang.  Also in attendance is WPK Organization Guidance Department deputy director Jo Yong Won (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un tours the Kim Cho’ng-suk Textile Mill in Pyongyang. Also in attendance is WPK Organization Guidance Department deputy director Jo Yong Won (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un “expressed expectation and conviction that officials and employees of the Kim Jong Suk Pyongyang Textile Mill, the model mill implementing the party’s policies would greet the 7th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea with great successes in production, keeping pace with the vibrant breath of the times.”

An affiliate of 38 North