North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a greenhouse farm construction site near the country’s border with China on Friday January 2, according to a report released Saturday by state media KCNA. During the visit, Kim met with young people and military personnel who are actively involved in the construction work and offered them words of encouragement as the new year begins.

The inspection forms part of a broader series of recent field visits by Kim to important military and economic locations across the country. These trips are intended to review progress and ensure readiness ahead of the upcoming Ninth Party Congress of the Workers Party, which is expected to be held early this year and will outline major national policy objectives.

Speaking at the site, Kim explained that he chose to spend the start of 2026 with workers stationed in the far northwest of the country. He said he arrived at the farm immediately after attending the central new year event, expressing pride in the dedication and determination shown by those involved in the project. He praised their efforts and described their work as a valuable contribution to national development.

The greenhouse farm is located in Sinuiju, a city positioned directly across the border from the Chinese city of Dandong. The area holds strategic and economic importance and was significantly affected by severe flooding in 2024. The new construction is expected to play an important role in strengthening agricultural production and improving food security in the region. Kim’s visit underscores the leadership’s focus on economic recovery and infrastructure rebuilding while also reinforcing morale among workers and soldiers assigned to key development projects.