Kim Jong Un praises workers for making 'enviable' products

SEOUL, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Kim Jong Un provided field guidance at a food production plant on Saturday, Pyongyang time, marking his first public factory visit of 2016.

Pyongyang's state-controlled media outlet KCNA reported Kim called on factory workers at Gold Cup Athletes Comprehensive Food Factory to produce more gustatory and nutritious food products for the state's athletes.

South Korean outlet Newsis reported it's likely the plant was recently renovated and Kim was marking the new opening with an official visit.

Kim expressed satisfaction with the factory and said it had improved over the past year.

"Great improvements to the lives of the people will come, if everyone, like the factory's cadres and employees here who make [North Korea] products that are the envy of the world, work with ambition and determination for the good of the [North Korean people]," Kim reportedly said.

The North Korean leader added cadres from other factories should learn from the plant's example.

Pyongyang has previously stated the country's top priority is to transform itself into an "economic powerhouse."

The Seventh Congress of the Korean Workers' Party, to be held in May, is expected to lead to a long-term plan outlining future steps for North Korea's isolated economy.

But North Korea's plans for stronger infrastructure are being accompanied by its relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons development.

The country's fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6 has been the focus of celebration and mass mobilization, according to state media.

Recent North Korean footage showed even preschoolers performing anti-American skits in response to recent U.S. and South Korea condemnations of the test.

South Korean television network KBS reported the skit showed North Korean children singing a song with lyrics telling U.S. soldiers in Korea to "leave, and leave immediately."

In another skit, the children depict a tiger and a hedgehog.

South Korea press reported the tiger represented the large and more powerful United States, while the smaller but prickly animal stood for a tough North Korea.