North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un has expressed his intention to expedite efforts to boost the country's naval power.

The state-run Korean Central Television reported on Sunday that Kim made a visit to the construction site of a naval base. The TV footage showed Kim being briefed by navy officials.

Kim reportedly said the country will soon possess large surface warships and submarines. He went on to say that the construction of a naval base for the latest large warships has become a pressing task.

The TV station reported that Kim said the naval base would be an area of strategic importance.

He also reportedly said the base's construction is intended to respond to the region's security environment as soon as possible.

An analysis in South Korea's defense white paper says that the North's naval force mainly comprises small high-speed vessels with limited operational capabilities.