N. Korean leader visits salmon farm

SEOUL, Oct. 20 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has visited a salmon
farm where he praised researchers for contributing to the nation's economic
growth by increasing production of marine products, state media said Tuesday.
The report of Kim's trip to the Salmon Breeding Institute came three days after
he appeared at a Russian ensemble performance on Saturday.
"To actively conserve and propagate marine resources is a noble patriotic work
for developing the national economy and improving the people's standard of living
by increasing the production of marine products," Kim told the workers, according
to the Korean Central News Agency.
Kim also ordered construction of more salmon farms, the report said.
"Our country has favorable conditions for salmon breeding as it has many rivers
and lakes and is surrounded by seas," he said.
The report did not give the location of the "ultra-modern" salmon institute or
when Kim made the visit.
Kim was accompanied by Workers' Party secretaries Choe Thae-bok and Kim Ki-nam,
party department director Jang Song-thaek, first vice department director Ri
Je-gang, and Korean People's Army generals Hyon Chol-hae and Ri Myong-su, the
report said.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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