NK leader 'satisfied' with new kindergarten, orphanage

All News 10:08 October 26, 2014

NK leader-kindergarten visit

SEOUL, Oct. 26 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a newly-built kindergarten and orphanage and expressed great satisfaction, Pyongyang's state news agency reported Sunday.

Kim was satisfied with the construction of a "baby home," referring to a kindergarten, and orphanage in Pyongyang, saying that "providing these facilities is important," the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in an English-language report monitored in Seoul.

Kim, known to be in his late 20s or early 30s and a father, said that it is more important to raise children well and gave "precious instructions for increasing the responsibility and role of the nurses and teachers."

The young leader, leaning on a walking stick, returned to the outside world on Oct. 14 after a six-week absence. Since then, he has appeared in public five more times.

The KCNA provided no details on when he visited the children's facilities or where they are located. He previously toured the construction sites of the two facilities in June and August.

The young leader was greeted by officials, including Ma Won-chun, director of the Designing Department at the North's powerful National Defense Commission, and accompanied by other high-ranking officials such as Choe Ryong-hae, the Workers' Party secretary.

Ma is believed to be one of Kim's closest aides, handling major construction projects billed in the country as the top leader's achievements. Ma's last public appearance was on Aug. 18 when he accompanied Kim on a visit to a science complex.

khj@yna.co.kr
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