N. Korea's Kim inspects east coast naval base under construction, urges timely completion

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a naval base under construction along the east coast of the country, emphasizing the project's significance to North Korea's security and maritime sovereignty, according to state media. During his Wednesday visit, Kim stressed the importance of completing the construction within the deadline set by the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency.

Accompanied by Pak Jong-chon, the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party, Kim received an update on the project's progress from commanding officers at the site.

Kim urged for the rapid completion of several key components at the base, including a Korean-style naval command center, a hub of naval culture and a center for naval combat capability, along with the base's infrastructure. He called for the construction to be finished "as early as possible" to meet the standards required by the party and to be completed within the timeframe set by the ruling party.

Kim stressed that the timely completion of the modern naval base is a crucial undertaking directly related to the security of the state and the defense of its maritime sovereignty.