On May 1, 2001, Chairman Kim Jong Il made a phone call to a senior official of Jagang Province.

Noting that he often thought of Kanggye and could not forget his field guidance to the Kanggye area in the biting cold days in January 1998, Kim Jong Il said that it was a really difficult period for the people in Jagang Province, but they did not vacillate. He said that, seeing the workers in Jagang Province working full of vigour and optimism despite difficulties of the Arduous March, he thought that the people were not moved by the difficulties but rather became stronger, adding that those in the province gave him a big strength and courage.

Kim Jong Il made a phone call to the senior official of the province as he missed those people.