N. Korean leader visits mines in remote province

SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has given field
guidance in several mines and emphasized that the health of the workers is more
important than underground treasure, state media said Thursday.

Kim, 67, visited mines in Komdok area in South Hamgyong Province, the Korean
Central News Agency said, reporting on his latest public activity after a 12-day
interval, the longest this year.
Kim toured production facilities and a mining village at the Taehung Youth Hero
Mine and gave "heartfelt thanks" to the workers, the report said.
Kim also visited the Komdok Mining Complex, North Korea's largest lead and zink
production base, it said.
"He stressed that deep care should be always shown for the miners' life, saying
that health of the workers, a precious asset of the Party and the revolution, is
more valuable than underground treasure," the report said.
Kim was accompanied by Workers' Party Secretary Kim Ki-nam and the party's
department directors, Pak Nam-gi and Jang Song-thaek, it said. Jang is also Kim's
only brother-in-law married to his only sister, Kim Kyong-hi.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)