North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently gave orders to glass factories to increase production as part of efforts to ensure a steady supply of glass panels make it to key construction projects throughout the country, Daily NK learned on Jan. 16.

According to Daily NK sources in South Pyongan Province, Kim specifically gave instructions to “guarantee an unimpeded supply of large glass panels used in the monumental construction projects in our own [North Korean] style in Samjiyon and the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area.”

Sources reported that the Taean Friendship Glass Factory in Nampo received instructions on Jan. 8 to “operate the glass factory at full capacity” to guarantee supplies of glass “for various construction projects as well as civilian use.”

The Taean Friendship Glass Factory is North Korea’s largest glass manufacturer, and was constructed in 2005 with a grant from the Chinese government.

MORE GLASS NEEDED FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

With the third phase of construction at Samjiyon beginning and the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone project approaching completion, North Korea is currently in need of large glass panels, sources said.

North Korean propaganda outlet Maeari reported last June that “so far this year, the Taean Friendship Glass Factory shipped around 20,000 square meters’ worth of glass panels to construction sites at Samjiyon County, Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, and the Yangdok Hot Springs Tourist Area.”

Upon receiving Kim’s orders to increase glass production, the Taean Friendship Glass Factory reportedly made plans to meet 120% of its annual production goals by Oct. 10, which is the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK).

Other entities involved in glass production, such as dolomite powder mines or logistics companies in charge of transporting raw materials and finished products, are also said to be setting goals and strategies with a view to carrying out Kim’s orders.

With international sanctions against the country making it difficult to procure construction materials, Kim is seemingly trying to overcome obstacles to his country’s economic development by modernizing Samjiyon and erecting large-scale tourist areas that can attract both domestic and foreign tourists.

Indeed, at the recent Fifth Plenary Meeting of the Seventh Central Committee of the WPK, Kim emphasized the need to strengthen North Korea’s construction capabilities, saying that the country must “turn out in the offensive for frontal breakthrough to foil the enemies’ sanctions and blockade…in the way of advance in the socialist construction.”

On the other hand, Kim is said to have also instructed the Taean Friendship Glass Factory to “readily guarantee a diverse supply of glass bowls as well as alcohol and medicine bottles to the people.” This suggests he intends to ensure there’s enough glass for both important construction projects and daily household necessities used by ordinary North Koreans.

TOP GRADUATES HEAD TO DOLOMITE MINE

Amid all of this, Daily NK has also learned that top graduates of the Sariwon University of Geology were recently assigned to the dolomite mine in Hwangju County, North Hwanghae Province. This mine supplies dolomite, a primary ingredient in glass production, to the Taean Friendship Glass Factory.

“With the government emphasizing glass production this year, seven top graduates from the Sariwon University of Geology were assigned to the dolomite mine in order to work out the most optimized blasting and tunneling methods,” said the source. “Internally, these graduates are seen as a personal courtesy appointment from Kim Jong Un.”

Having placed a priority on the implementation of science and technology alongside the push to increase glass production, Kim appears to have given special consideration to placing the geology university’s top graduates to the dolomite mine.

*Translated by Violet Kim

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