DPRK hails economic development in first half of 2009

PYONGYANG, July 17 (Xinhua) -- The economic development in the first half of 2009 in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) yielded substantial results and laid a solid foundation for fulfilling the year's economic plan, Minju Choson newspaper reported Friday.

This was announced by Premier Kim Yong Il in his report at a plenary session of the cabinet.

The report was on the implementation of the economic plan of the first half year and the goal of the second half year.

The report stated that the "150 day combat," which was initiated in mid-April to develop the economy, created an "unprecedented miracle" in production and construction.

Thousands of factories were ahead of their production schedules, and the total industrial output value also saw an increase, said the report.

Furthermore, the coal industry and railway transportation in particular over fulfilled their quotas in the first six months of 2009, it noted.

The report urged the whole country to continue the "150-day combat" in the second half of this year, saying that solving the electric power problem would be especially important.

The report also brought forward the concept that science and technology could lay the groundwork for economic development and asked all people to boost technical innovations.