In the course, wet copper smelting plant with modern production processes was inaugurated at the Sangnong Mine and the large-size long-distance belt conveyor transport line renovated at the Komdok Mining Complex. Like this, remarkable progress was made in the work for laying material and technical foundations of the mineral production bases.

In particular, the inauguration of the prospecting machine factory with large capacity, which can produce drilling machines and pumps of high performance, opened a bright prospect for decreasing the degree of dependence on import of industrial raw materials and fuel by developing a lot of underground resources of the country.

The powerful acceleration of the readjustment and reinforcement at different units in the field of mining industry laid a stepping stone for entering into the course of development of the next stage.

Over the past five years, the expansion of capacity, remodelling of processes and modernization have been dynamically promoted in all sectors of the national economy, not one or two, making it possible to take sure track of growth and development.

The springboard for development of the independent economy was made along with the five years that opened up new upsurge phase for the development of socialist independent economy.

Chairman Kim Jong Il and Ordinary Families
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- With the approach of the birthday of Chairman Kim Jong Il (February 16), the DPRK people are recollecting with deep emotion the noble life of him who made ceaseless field guidance, regarding it as his motto to believe in the people as in Heaven.

During his field guidance for the people, the Chairman visited houses of ordinary people and took warm care of their living.

When visiting a newly-built village of ex-servicemen in Taehongdan County of Ryanggang Province, he dropped in at the house of a newly wedded ex-serviceman.

He acquainted himself with their housekeeping with paternal affection. When the housewife requested the Chairman to name her baby, to be born, in a whisper, he accepted her request with good grace.

When visiting a house of Poman-ri, Sohung County of North Hwanghae Province, he said that nameplates should be put up at the entrances of houses as the same houses were lined up.

When he visited the house of a farmer in a village of electrified modern houses in Sinhung County of South Hamgyong Province, he taught how to keep the temperature of rooms on a normal state in winter.

When he dropped in at the house of an ex-serviceman working at the Hungju Youth Power Station, he acquainted himself with the state of furniture and kitchen utensils in the house.

Many houses visited by him, including those of a pasturer of the Hamhung City Youth Goat Farm and artistes of the National Theatrical Troupe, are associated with warm love for the people of the Chairman, who regarded as his pleasure the pains he took for the people's wellbeing.

Such noble scenes of the harmonious whole between the leader and the people tell forever the great personality of the Chairman who devoted his whole life to the people. -0-

Over the past four years, 113,000 new modern housing units have been built in 1,860 rural villages on 500 farms across the DPRK.

Naenara:Korean People Benefit from Advanced Medical Service
The people in Kangdong County of Pyongyang Municipality, Kusong City of North Phyongan Province and Ryonggang County of Nampho Municipality enjoy the benefits of advanced medical service at the hospitals newly built in their regions.

These hospitals are equipped with all conditions necessary for medical service.

For example, the Kangdong County Hospital is furnished with modern medical facilities plus treatment rooms, in-patient rooms, dispensary, shop, barber’s, bathhouse, underground car park and other service conditions.

Anyone is allowed to gain access to advanced medical treatment and other quality services which help them recover and improve their health.

A worker from the Kangdong Coal Mine who had been in a critical condition due to an unexpected injury left the hospital in good health, after undergoing a surgical operation and receiving recuperative services.

A baby was born on the day in December last year when the hospital was opened.

On January 6 this year Sin Ok Song from Hwagang-ri, Kangdong County, gave birth to twin boy and girl.

Meanwhile, the Kusong City Hospital and the Ryonggang County Hospital also take good care of emergency and serious cases.

Translation: Long live the militant friendly unity between the Korean people and the Cuban People!