Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), inspected factories in Tanchon city, South Hamgyong province, the official Rodong Sinmun daily reported on Saturday.
  
During the inspections to the Tanchon Magnesia Factory, Tanchon Smeltery and Tanchon Mining Machine Plant, Kim called on the workers to apply science and technology to the industries, Xinhua reported.
  
Kim also said that factories should explore new technologies and make new inventions by their own force with the spirit of self-reliance.
  
The date of the visits were not given by the report.