/Courtesy of Twitter



By Lee Han-soo

The Kim Chaek Steel Mill, one of North Korea's largest, has stopped production because of a shortage of raw materials and power, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported Wednesday, citing unidentified sources.

"The steel mill only operated once in January and has been quiet since," RFA said. "Due to the lack of steel production, multiple construction sites in North Hamgyeong province have been put on hold."

The radio station said plant workers had been sent to other sites after the suspension. It said a smaller steel mill in Chungjin was operating.

With the major gathering of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party slated for May, the party has issued a "70-day campaign" to boost production of necessities and weaponry.