Kim Jong Un touts new North Korea kimchi factory

SEOUL, June 10 (UPI) -- Kim Jong Un says spicy pickles might be the cure for North Korea's economy.

The North Korean leader provided field guidance at the newly built Ryugyong Kimchi Factory, Pyongyang's state-controlled news agency KCNA reported Friday.

The visit is part of a series of trips Kim has made to non-military plants since the conclusion of the Seventh Party Congress in May.

In recent weeks, Kim had provided instructions at a sporting goods factory, an eye hospital and a plant that produces farm tractors.

North Korea has also eased off nuclear and other provocations. Its last test launch of the mid-range ballistic missile, the Musudan, ended in failure on May 30.

The kimchi factory, which was built to produce different versions of the peppery Korean cabbage dish, should be a source of national pride, Kim said.

"Kimchi is widely known as one of the world's top five health foods, and one of the most loved foods of our people," the North Korean leader said. "At the Ryugyong Kimchi Factory, kimchi that is even tastier than homemade food must be made, and make kimchi the world's leading food."

Kim also instructed North Koreans to build more kimchi factories, across all provinces, modeled after the "exemplary" Ryugyong plant.

The visit, however, could be part of what a top South Korean official has called Pyongyang's relentless "propaganda offensive."

South Korean Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo has said no new strategy for North Korea, including its economy, emerged from the party congress in May.