Natural Resources Development Industry

The economy conforms to a state socialist model with almost 100 percent state ownership and operation of business. The country follows the socialist system of ownership of means of production which implies state ownership and ownership of cooperatives. However, there are private properties also as the state protects private ownership of the working people by law and guarantees the right of inheritance.

DPR Korea follows a development strategy of self-reliance, giving highest priority to the development of heavy industry.  The development strategy is outlined in different economic plans.  The plan aims at continuous modernization and placing the economy on a scientific basis.  The plan focuses on production of items like engineering and machinery building, petrochemicals and textiles, ship building, mining and transportation along with the electronics industry have been recognized as priority sectors. In the agricultural field, the objective is to maintain self-sufficiency in food-grains by increasing the area under cultivation and also increasing yield in respect of area under agriculture. In the field of light industry, emphasis is on production of consumer goods like textiles, footwear, and domestic appliances.

What are the output of the major products?

DPR Korea is rich in minerals, particularly coal (14.7billion metric tons deposits); Magnesite(6.5 billion metric tons deposits);

Limestone(100.0 billion metric tons deposits);  Iron ore(3.0 billion metric tons deposits);

Zinc(12.0 million metric tons deposits);         Manganese(0.2 million metric tons deposits);

Nickel(1.2 million metric tons deposits);        Gold(1,000 metric tons deposits);

Silver(5,000 metric tons deposits);            Copper(75,000  metric tons deposits)

Thanks to the emphasis laid on the development of heavy industry, the metallurgical and engineering industries are very well established with per capita steel consumption being 170kg. Cement is another commodity produced in large quantities with the country having a net surplus.

What are the Important Factories and Enterprises in DPR Korea?

(1)The Musan Minining Complex in North Hamgyeong Province is the biggest iron-ore producing center. It has a deposit of billions of tons of Magnetite and supplies concentrates through 100-kilometer-long Musan-Chungjin concentrated ore transport pipeline. It is being built into an iron ore producing center with a production capacity of 10 million tons of concentrated iron ore in the future.

(2)The Komdok Mining Complex in Tanchon, South Hamgyeong province, is a nonferrous metal ore producing center. It produces hundreds of thousands tons of lead and zinc concentrate annually. Ore-Dressing Plant No.3 has an annual production capacity of 10 million tons of ores.

(3)The Anju District Coal Mining Complex in Chongnam District, South Pyeongan Province, is the largest coal mining complex. It includes Taehyang, Ryongnim, Ripsok and other collieries and will have a production capacity of 70-100 milion tons in the near future.

(4)The Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex in Chongjin, North Hamgyeong Province, is the largest ferrous metallurgical complex. It produces several million tons of pig iron, steel, various rolled steel products respectively a year. Its steel output will surpass 5 million tons in the period of the Third Seven-Year Plan.

(5)The Chollima Steel Complex in Chollima District, Nampo City, is called the “homeland Chollima”. It produces steel, structural steel, special alloy steel, drawn pipe, wire, etc. A new steel plant with annual production capacity of two million tons is under construction.

(6)The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex in Pukchang County, South Pyeongan Province, is the biggest electric power generation base. It has over ten 100,000 kva generators.

(7)The Huichon General Machine ?Tool Factory in Huichon, Chagang Province, is called “parent factory”. It produces various machine tools including “Huichon No.3”. Numerically controlled machine tool production lines are installed.

(8)The Taean Heavy Machine Complex in Taean District, Nampo City, is a birthplace of the Taean work system. It is a giant manufacturing center producing electric machines and ordered equipment.

(9)The Kim Jong Tae Electric Locomotive Complex in Pyongyang produces electric locomotive “Pulgungi”, diesel locomotive “Kum Song”, 8-and 6-axled electric locomotive, passenger coaches.

(10)The Seungri General Motor Works in South Pyongan Province is a lorry producing center.

(11)The Sunchon Vinalon Complex in Sunchon, South Pyeongan Province, is the biggest chemical industrial Complex.

(12)The Sariwon Potassic Fertilizer Complex in North Hwanghae Province is a large-size light metals producing base.

(13)The Sangwon Cement Complex in Sangwon County, Pyongyang, has an annual production capacity of several million tons of cement.

(14)The February 8 Vinalon Complex in Hamheung, South Hamgyeong Province, was completed in May, 1961.

(15)The Namhung Youth Chemical Complex is located in Anju, South Pyongan Province.

(16)The Tanchon Magnesia Clinker Plant in Tanchon, South Hamgyeong Province, produces magnesia clinker from magnesite ore mined at the Ryongyang Mine and firebricks.

(17)The Pyongnam irrigation network covers the area of South Pyongan Province. It is called “the pioneer in irrigation”.

(18)The Sobaeksu United Corporation develops graphite and magnesite resources rich in the country and supervises R&D, production and trade. It has some ten production bases including graphite and magnesia factories and mines. Starting with the production of graphite brushes, the company has turned into a modern business furnished with the comprehensive system for the production of graphite products ranging from raw materials to latest functional graphite materials. It is expanding business activities with foreign graphite producers. It mass-produces caustic calcined magnesia, dead magnesia clinker, electro-fusing magnesia clinker, Magnesium sulphate fertilizer, caustic calcined building materials and other magnesia products that are exported to Germany, Italy, China and other countries. In addition, it makes cement and coal grinding aids of world standard to raise the quality of products and efficiency of cement factories and thermal power stations. Relying on its reliable brainpower, it is stepping up the development of new goods to increase the range of products while taking orders for development from different countries.

(19)The Chongsan Cooperative Farm in Kangseo District, Nampo City, is the birthplace of the Chongsanri spirit and Chongsanri method. In 1954 it started as an agricultural cooperative embracing 16 farm households and one head of cattle.  It runs the Chongsan Agricultural College and the higher farm machine operator training school.

(20)Jeongchon Graphite mine