North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called on a factory to modernize the process of producing machines by the founding anniversary of the ruling party in October, the North's state media said Thursday.

Kim's remarks were made while inspecting a machine manufacturing plant in North Pyongan Province. The visit marks the third time he made an on-site inspection after the country concluded its key party congress on May 9.

Pyongyang used the four daylong event to help strengthen Kim's heavy-handed rule.

The North's leader has praised workers at the factory, which he said successfully manufactures machines and equipment with indigenous technology, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The report did not specify the date of his inspection.

The KCNA said Kim has called on the plant to modernize the steel casting shop by the founding anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on Oct. 10.

At the party event, the first to be held in 36 years, the North's leader made it clear that he will "permanently" defend the pursuit of his signature policy of developing nuclear weapons in tandem with boosting the country's moribund economy, commonly known as the "byeongjin" policy. (Yonhap)