Senior CPC official: progress seen in DPRK, but economic difficulties remain

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has made progress in developing its economy and improving people's life, but difficulties still remain, said a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said in Beijing Sunday.

Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, who accompanied Chinese President Hu Jintao throughout his DPRK visit, told press that the party and government of the DPRK had taken many measures to improve agricultural production and speed up economic growth.

"The DPRK is likely to reap an agricultural harvest this year," he said, adding that its efforts in grain seed breeding and fine strain experiment have paid off.

The DPRK has also achieved progress in the fields of finance, industry, trade and logistics, Wang said.

However, the DPRK is still facing some difficulties, especially in power supply and transportation, said Wang, who had visited the DPRK several times.

"I believe the DPRK people will overcome these difficulties and make positive results under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea with Kim Jong Il as general secretary," he said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao returned to Beijing Sunday morning after a three-day official goodwill visit to the DPRK.

Source: Xinhua