North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has conducted a field inspection of a naval ship repair yard, the North's official news agency reported Tuesday.

Kim's visit to the October 3 Factory under the Korean People's Army (KPA) Navy Unit 597 came as the country is under increasing pressure after the U.N. Security Council's recent sanctions for its nuclear test and rocket launch.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the North Korean leader lauded the repair facility for providing a solid technical foundation for repairing any type of warship in a short period of time.

He said that the dock was successfully remodeled so that it may ensure the safest and most convenient repair of warships. Kim added that the wharf and embankment projects have also been carried out in an impeccable manner.

The KCNA report did not make any mention on when he visited the shipyard.

Kim was quoted by the KCNA as having said, "The remodeling of the factory as a modern one by our own efforts was a striking demonstration of the indomitable fighting spirit and validity of the cause of the army and people of the DPRK who are waging an offensive despite difficulties and trials while resolutely smashing the desperate moves of the U.S. imperialists and their followers to stifle Korean socialism." DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

He expressed great expectation and conviction that the officials and workers at the factory would make positive contributions to developing the Juche-oriented naval force, noting that the defense of territorial waters is equivalent to national defense since the Korean Peninsula is surrounded by the seas on three sides.

Created in July 1947, the ship factory is the first repair yard for North Korean warships. It has various facilities including living quarters for workers and covers 51,750 square meters of land. (Yonhap)