North Korea's Kim Jong-un has visited a newly built commercial district and health complex, the North's official news agency reported Monday, in what appears to be a move to show that the leader cares about the livelihoods of ordinary people.

According to a report by the Korean Central News Agency, Kim called on officials and employees at the Mirae Shop and a health complex to give good service to customers. The health complex contains bathrooms, a barber's shop, a beauty salon and other facilities.

Kim was accompanied by his wife Ri Sol-ju and sister Kim Yo-jong as well as other key officials including Choe Ryong-hae, a Workers' Party secretary. The KCNA did not mention the date of Kim's inspection tour. 

Kim's visit is widely seen as an attempt to promote his image as a leader interested in people's livelihoods and also to consolidate internal unity before the forthcoming seventh congress of the ruling Workers' Party scheduled for early May.

The backdrop to his latest field inspection is continued bellicose North Korean rhetoric against South Korea and the United States in response to tougher U.N. Security Council sanctions on the North and ongoing joint military drills between Seoul and Washington.

The communist country launched short- and mid-range missiles and artillery rockets on four occasions this month while upping its military ante.

During his trip to the Mirae Shop, Kim noted that the new shop has turned into a larger and more modern commercial center and model for the country's commercial service field. He then urged salespersons to conduct service activities in a good manner, the KCNA report said.

He said the shop should open its doors as soon as possible, and serve not only scientists and technicians but also other people.

Kim also praised the complex's flawless architectural style and quality of construction. (Yonhap)