North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a fruit farm to emphasize the importance of improving the livelihoods of ordinary people after Pyongyang tested its fifth nuclear device earlier in the month, state-run media reported Sunday.

The visit, covered by the Korean Central News Agency, showed Kim touring the Combined Fruit Farm in Kosan, Kangwon Province, and marks the third public outing by Kim after Pyongyang detonated a nuclear device on Sept. 9. The detonation triggered universal condemnation from the international community with countries in discussion to impose stronger sanctions against the reclusive country.

It also marks the third trip in a row that he visited facilities that can directly improve the everyday lives of North Koreans.

The KCNA said the leader looked over the facilities and checked the precious historic relics with keen attention. The media outlet said the incumbent leader pointed out that the farm, founded under the far-reaching plan of President Kim Il-sung, was turned into a combined fruit production base thanks to the late Kim Jong-il.

Kim Il-sung is the present leader's grandfather and North Korea's founder, while Kim Jong-il is his son who ruled the country till his sudden death in late 2011.

"Laudable successes achieved by the farm would be unthinkable without the devoted efforts exerted by Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il for indicating a bright prospect for the farm," the KCNA noted the current leader as saying.

The news wire said Kim was very pleased to hear that the farm expects to harvest more than 50 tons of fruit per hectare from its dozens of hectares of orchards this year.

Besides the farm, he lauded the efforts put in by Construction Shock Brigade 618 that successfully built a modern fruit store.

"He highly praised them for making a positive contribution to developing the combined farm into the world's leading young fruit farm," the media report said.

Local North Korean watchers said Kim's visit aims to show he is a leader that cares for the welfare of the people, as pressure mounts from abroad to curtail Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

Before the visit to the fruit farm, Kim toured a farm operated by the military and an oxygen-producing factory that ships its products to local hospitals and clinics. (Yonhap)