Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- Large metallurgical bases in the DPRK conducted the first iron tapping of the new year on January 1.

Officials and workers at the Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex launched the first campaign of the new year for pushing ahead with the production of iron and steel as planned.

Workers and technicians of the blast furnace workshop Nos. 1 and 2 in charge of the first production process of Juche iron have conducted the furnace management and operation in a scientific and technological way and introduced advanced melting method from the first day, thus recording good results.

The Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex has created new standard and new records from the outset of the year. The blast furnace workshop has made the workers well versed in the technical characteristics of the energy-saving oxygen heat blast furnace and introduced advanced furnace operation technology and melting method to increase the molten steel production per charge.

Similar successes have been made at the Chollima Steel Complex. -0-