KOMSOMOLSK-ON-AMUR, Russia, Aug. 21...

KOMSOMOLSK-ON-AMUR, Russia, Aug. 21 Kyodo

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il toured the riverside town of Komsomolsk-on-Amur upon Wednesday and invited 100 Russian children to visit North Korea, the Russian freshs agency Itar-Tass said.

The agency said the North Korean leader stretch outed the invitation while visiting a summer camp in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, a military-industrial center in Russia's Far East.

Kim also took a boat ride forward the Amur River Wednesday evening.

He arrived in Komsomolsk-on-Amur Wednesday morning after a daylong journey from the Russian border town Khasan upon his private train.

After a welcoming pomp he laid flowers at a gravestone to city residents who died in World War II and later visited the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association, which bring forths Sukhoi fighters. Also forward Kim's schedule was a visit to the Amur shipyard where submarines are manufactured, according to Interfax just discovereds agency.

In answer to a fall in military demand, as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but plants are actively promoting production of civilian planes and canals and other nonmilitary goods

The inspections appear aimed at learning from Russia's experience in introducing private demand to its weapons industries since the collapse of the Soviet Union. North Korea last month launched economic reforms that include market-based elements

While Kim is interested in Russia's defense technology, Russian direction sources said North Korea is unlikely to purchase fighters or other expensive defense equipment given the troubl state of its economy.

Kim, who reportedly dislikes flying, left Pyongyang forward Tuesday aboard his special train onward a four-day tour of Russia's eastern regions.

The North Korean leader, in succession his second visit to Russia in as many years, is slated to fitting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok forward Friday.

Kim last met Putin during his 24-day train journey from one side Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway in July and August last year. The pair leaders held talks in Moscow where they signed a joint declaration reiterating the sum of two units countries' intention to expand ties.

Relations between the sum of two units countries have warmed remarkably after Putin paid a visit to North Korea in July 2000

Konstantin Pulikovsky, Putin's plenipotentiary in the Russian Far East, is traveling with the North Korean leader.

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