North Korea's media say leader Kim Jong Un has called for stricter discipline and punishment in the ruling Workers' Party.

State-run Korean Central Television on Monday reported Kim's remarks, which were made at a Sunday meeting of the secretariat of the Central Committee of the party.

The report says the meeting discussed "unsound" acts, including abuse of power and bureaucratism, by party officials.

It quotes Kim as saying it's necessary to prioritize work for encouraging and raising the political principles, fighting spirit, revolutionary style and communist moral traits in the party's organizations.

At last week's plenary meeting of the Central Committee, Kim was quoted as saying North Korea faces a very serious security situation and that it could worsen.

He reportedly said it's essential for the North to bolster its defense capabilities as quickly as possible.

He also stressed the need to rebuild the country's economy while taking anti-epidemic steps. North Korea has reported millions of "fever cases," which are believed to have been caused by the coronavirus.

The plenary meeting also appointed new senior officials in party, military and state organizations.

Kim's remarks on Sunday are apparently aimed at consolidating the party's foundation as tensions rise on the Korean Peninsula.