Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), called for efforts to normalize the operation of factories in a bid to reach full capacity of the production, state media said on Sunday.

Kim Jong Il made the speech when he inspected a smeltery in Manpho city, Jagang province, the Rodong Sinmun daily reported, without giving the date of the visit.

Kim underlined the importance of updating technology and the spirit of self-reliance to increase output.

He also visited a tire factory and a spinning mill in the city.

The top leader has visited farms, factories and army units in different parts of the country recently.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2009)