The Korea Herald

지나쌤

N. Korean leader resumes inspections in economic field

By 최희석

Published : Sept. 1, 2012 - 15:46

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a restaurant in Pyongyang, the country's state media reported Saturday, as he conducted his first inspection in the economic field in almost a month.

Kim went around different sections of Haemaji Restaurant along with his wife Ri Sol-ju, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

Kim "expressed great satisfaction" over the construction of the restaurant, saying the environment is very friendly and he likes everything there, the KCNA dispatch said.

The dispatch did not say when the restaurant will officially open for business.

The visit came after Kim made a series of tours to front-line military units in recent weeks amid tensions with South Korea and the United States over their recent military exercise in the South.

North Korea frequently condemns the annual joint military maneuvers as a rehearsal for invasion. Seoul and Washington have said the drills are defensive in nature.

Kim's resumption of economic inspections also comes amid speculation that the isolated country is gearing up for reform measures to revive its faltering economy.

The North has relied on international handouts since the late 1990s when it suffered a massive famine that was estimated to have killed 2 million people. (Yonhap News)