North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has had a photo session with scientists and technicians who played a role in the production of indigenous light aircraft, the North's media said Thursday.

Kim has called in scientists, technicians and other military-related officials to recognize their contribution in manufacturing light aircraft and aircraft equipment, all of which was homemade, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency.

The KCNA did not provide the exact time for the event.

The young leader was accompanied by Kim Chun-sop, a newly elected member of the North's National Defense Commission, the country's key policymaking body and other senior officials, the KCNA said.

Kim replaced Park To-chun on the 10-member defense commission at a one-day parliamentary session that convened April 9 in Pyongyang.

The move raised speculation that Kim may also take up the post of a Communist Party official in charge of the nation's missile and nuclear development, the position formerly held by Park.

Experts said that Kim's rise seems to cement the rumor that he will deal with the military-related affairs in the party.

Earlier this month, meanwhile, Kim Jong-un piloted a new homemade light plane himself during a visit to a factory, expressing pleasure that the North's workers made a "marvelous sci-tech achievement." (Yonhap)