N. Korean Leader Visits Provincial City

North Korean media have reported its leader Kim Jong Il visiting a chicken farm, folk village and a rice cooperation farm in Sariwon, a city south of Pyongyang, for onsite inspections.

The (North) Korean Central News Agency and Radio Pyongyang said Thursday that Kim was greeted by Yang Myong Chol, chairman of the Sariwon chapter of the ruling Workers’ Party, and other representatives.

On Kim’s visit to an air force base at the end of last month, another report said, “Kim was welcomed by three-star general Ri Byong Chol.”

It is unusual for North Korean media to name the people greeting Kim. Certain experts said the mention of names is intended to stress that the leader did visit those sites.

kyle@donga.com