North Korea claims that it has completed construction of dozens of industrial plants nationwide in a bid to improve the quality of living in the country's rural areas.

According to the Korean Central News Agency(KCNA) on Saturday, the modern factories were built in 20 cities and counties under the regime's regional development policy.

The policy, put forth by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in January, envisions annual construction of such facilities in 20 cities and counties to advance the living standard outside the capital region in the next decade.

While attending a completion ceremony at a plant in Seongcheon County on Friday, Kim said he feels a sense of relief from thinking that he has managed to provide new and modern factories to residents in the regions.

The North Korean leader also criticized the slow pace and efficacy of regional industrial development that began under the leadership of regime founder and his late grandfather, Kim Il-sung.

Pledging his policies will be different, Kim called to fulfill the pledged annual construction in 20 cities and counties to advance development in a faster and more effective way.