According to the state-run [North] Korean Central News Agency, a completion ceremony of a factory in Kilju, North Hamgyong Province was held the previous day with key party officials in attendance.
Kilju is known for its Punggye-ri nuclear test site, where North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests.
In a speech at the ceremony, Ri Il-hwan, a party secretary for propaganda, said "Modern light industry factories have risen up in the [isolated country's] northern mountainous areas of Kilju," adding that projects to develop provincial areas would be further expanded.
North Korea has already held a slew of similar events in recent weeks including those in North and South Hwanghae Provinces and Kangwon Province.
These development projects, along with the recent grand openings of new hotels near Mt. Paektu, are part of the North's ambitious plans to narrow gaps between the modernized capital of Pyongyang and rural areas within 10 years, in an apparent effort to promote year-end achievements ahead of the country's key party congress scheduled for early next year.
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