N. Korean leader scolds factory workers and managers for being lazy

By Lim Chang-won Posted : July 2, 2018, 11:37 Updated : July 2, 2018, 11:37

[KCNA / Yonhap]


SEOUL -- In a business trip to a special economic zone in the northwestern border town of Sinuiju, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un scolded workers and managers severely for neglecting their work while complaining about a lack of materials and money.

The unusual rebuke during his inspection of factories in the economic zone across the Chinese port city of Dandong was published Monday amid a campaign by North Korea's propaganda mill to project a new image for the young leader who grabbed the international spotlight for his historic summits with U.S. and South Korean leaders.

At a textile factory, Kim reprimanded workers and managers for failing to normalize production based on science and technology and to modernize facilities, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).  Complaining about a shortage of materials and money, workers were "hibernating" without trying to overcome their difficulty, Kim was quoted as saying.

At a chemical fiber factory being renovated in the zone, Kim hurled harsher criticism, accusing workers of installing "precious" equipment in an old building "like a stall" and doing repairs sloppily even at the last stage of its test operation, KCNA reported.

Kim expressed anger, saying factory manages blamed each other to avoid responsibility without giving accurate answers to modernization. Senior government and party members were also scolded for neglecting their duty and failing to pay attention to the modernization and normalization of important factories, KCNA said. "It is very serious," the leader was quoted as saying.

No date was given, but Kim's "field guidance" followed his trip to Sindo, home to the Hwanggumpyong Exclusive Industrial Zone co-developed with China.

The North's state media highlighted Kim's folksy image, carrying pictures that showed him smiling and sitting in a relaxed attitude with all the buttons of his jacket untied. Kim was also seen traveling in a rather small, old car and going up and down the steep road with the help of aides to get on a small motor boat for his trip to Sindo.

Kim's diplomatic offensive that eased high tensions over nuclear and missile threats has sparked speculation that North Korea may come out of its decades-long isolation to open up for economic development and cooperation with the international community.

When he returned home from his meeting on June 12 with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore, the North's domestic media praised him for ushering in a new phase of relations on the Korean Peninsula "with his energetic external activities."

The summit in Singapore demonstrated efforts to change the afflictive image of North Korea. Some pundits believe Kim's act of coming forth and stepping into negotiations on denuclearizing his country deserves commendation as he breaks the stereotype of the past intransigent North Korean leaders.
 
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