DPRK top leader pledges to fix electricity shortages

PYONGYANG, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), has called for increased energy production and more power stations to end a shortage of electricity.

Kim made the call when he visited a hydropower station still under construction in the northern Jagang province, the official Rodong Sinmun daily said Friday.

The Huichon power station, the largest in the DPRK for more than 20 years, was being built by military workers. Kim Jong Il was satisfied with the soldiers' work, praising them for creating the "Huichon speed," the newspaper said, without giving the date of the inspection.

In order to complete the construction of the power station before 2012, it was necessary to launch a great offensive with the whole party and army and all the people involved, Kim said.