Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- Hoeryong white apricot, widely known as one of three charms of Hoeryong in the DPRK, is a time-honored regional specialty.

The fruits are watery and sweet but not so sour.

This white apricot is known as a quality apricot species which has been long cultivated in the area of Hoeryong.

Hoeryong white apricot is also associated with the loving care of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il.

In July Juche 43 (1954) when he visited a village in the then Hoeryong County, North Hamgyong Province, the President said that Hoeryong is a place where the white apricot yields well from the olden times, calling for planting Hoeryong white apricot on roadsides and around fences as well as on mountains.

Afterwards, he paid deep attention to planting a large number of white apricot trees and cultivating them, and gave detailed instructions on the methods of growing saplings and picking and processing fruits whenever an opportunity presented itself.

In July 1963 when he visited a school in Changsong County, North Phyongan Province, the Chairman said that white apricot flourishing in Hoeryong of North Hamgyong Province is a good fruitful tree and that it would also grow well even in the same weather conditions as in Changsong County, adding that the fruit is big and tasty. And he called on students to plant and tend white apricot trees with great care so that the trees would be heavy loaded with fruits.

Hoeryong white apricot is still considered a treasure and pride of the country. -0-