PYONGYANG, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), has called for accelerated construction to make Pyongyang "a city of world level," the official KCNA news agency reported Wednesday.

    While inspecting a newly- built dwelling area in the Mansudae Street of Pyongyang recently, Kim said that it was important to build roads and buildings of diverse styles in the capital city.

    The apartment buildings in the Mansudae Street, with heating, water supplies and drainage systems, fully reflected "the plan and intention of the Party to provide the people with the best living conditions," the KCNA report quoted Kim as saying.

    The apartments served as a model and standard for the ongoing construction projects to provide modern flats in Pyongyang for 100,000 families, adding that the large-scale housing program should be finished as early as possible.

    The report did not disclose the date of the visit.

Special Report:  Global Financial Crisis