November 29, 2023
News

North Korean media lauds new fertilizer factory, rejects “reform and opening”

State-run outlets hail Sunchon facilities as a "cutting-edge fort" in the face of foreign pressure

North Korea's top newspaper on Tuesday hailed the opening of a new phosphatic fertilizer factory in the city of Sunchon as the country's first victory in its "head-on breakthrough battle" against sanctions, warning readers against the temptations of the "reform and opening" model of economic development.

In a political essay (jongron) -- the Rodong Sinmun's first since last month's Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) session -- and special article (ronsol), the newspaper emphasized the importance of self-reliant technology and economy.