Kim: North Koreans need more silk

PYONGYANG, North Korea, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Il says his countrymen should have more silk clothing made available to them.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency said Sunday Kim ordered the greater production of silk while touring to the Huichon Silk Mill and other industrial and educational facilities in Jagang province, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.

"The mill should provide silk fabrics works with larger quantity of quality silk to meet the lifelong desire of President Kim Il Sung, who took much pain to ensure that all the people wear silks, and live on rice and meat soup in tile-roofed houses," Kim was quoted by the KCNA as saying.

Yonhap also said Kim was reported to have visited the Youth Electric Complex, which manufactures electric goods, and a newly built library where he watched an art performance and held a photo session with workers.