North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a major naval base under construction on the country's east coast and ordered its timely completion, state-run media reported Thursday.

SEOUL, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a major naval base under construction on the country's east coast and ordered its timely completion, state-run media reported Thursday, as Pyongyang expands its fleet and develops new maritime weapons.

Kim visited the site Wednesday with senior officials including Pak Jong Chon, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Military Commission, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.

He called the base a "crucial core undertaking directly related to the security of our state and the defense of its maritime sovereignty" and said it must be completed to the standards and within the period set by the party leadership.

Kim outlined plans for a "modern naval city," describing the base as a command center and hub of naval culture and combat capability. He ordered measures to strengthen project management and increase the construction workforce, KCNA said.

The report did not disclose a target completion date or the base's precise location.

South Korea's military has been closely monitoring and tracking developments related to the base, Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman Jang Do-young told a briefing Thursday. He declined to provide further details, citing security considerations.

Kim's visit follows a series of steps to bolster North Korea's naval forces, including commissioning new destroyers, expanding shipbuilding facilities and testing underwater weapons.

The North commissioned two 5,000-ton destroyers this year, the Choe Hyon in June and the Kang Kon in September. Kim has called for building two large surface warships a year over the next five years, with plans for vessels in the 10,000-ton class.

Last week, he inspected a warship under construction at the Nampho Shipyard that KCNA described as larger than the Choe Hyon, while calling for a rapid expansion of surface and underwater combat power.

On Tuesday, North Korea said it had tested a new high-speed torpedo and planned to equip its navy with the weapon in early 2027. It also reported tests of two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles last month.

In a separate report Thursday, KCNA said Kim inspected newly completed housing in Thongchon County, Kangwon Province, where a large naval base is being built. The homes were constructed in a little over two months for residents relocated for the military project, the agency said.

Kim called for carrying out his "20x10" regional development policy, an initiative launched in 2024 to build factories and other facilities in 20 cities and counties annually over 10 years, aimed at improving living standards and narrowing the gap between Pyongyang and the provinces.