N. Korea starts construction of regional factories in 13 counties

North Korea holds a ceremony to start the construction of regional industrial factories in more than 10 counties under the country's regional economy development plan, in this photo distributed on March 11. Yonhap

North Korea has begun the construction of factories in more than 10 counties, state media reported Monday, as leader Kim Jong-un called for the development of backward provinces to bolster the regional economy.

The country held a series of the groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of the regional industrial factories in 13 counties, including the Kujang, Unsan and Yonthan counties, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Ordered by its leader Kim, North Korea has kicked off a project to build modernized factories in 20 counties over the next decade to raise the "basic material and cultural living standards of the people."

"The building of regional industry factories is not just a struggle for construction, but a fight for the ruling party to keep promises with the people," the KCNA said, voicing expectations for the role of troops that were dispatched to help accomplish the project.

It is common for North Korea to mobilize the military in state-led construction projects in a bid to accelerate the completion of them at cheap costs.

Last month, Kim attended a ceremony to start the construction of a factory in Songchon County, South Pyongan Province, saying the project could help millions of people improve their livelihoods.

South Korea's unification ministry has expressed skepticism over the North's regional development plan, raising questions about whether the resource-scarce country would have sufficient equipment and funds to implement the project. (Yonhap)