North Korea's Kim fires vice premier, inspects machinery plant before key party congress

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected an industrial machinery factory and fired a top official ahead of a key party congress, state media KCNA said on Tuesday.

In recent weeks, Kim has made a series of visits to factories as well as to arms tests ahead of the Ninth Party Congress of the Workers' Party, expected to convene soon to set out major policy goals.

Kim on Monday inspected the modernisation project of Ryongsong Machine Complex, a key North Korean machinery manufacturing base outside of Pyongyang, and lauded its progress, KCNA said.

During his speech, Kim also fired Yang Sung Ho, Vice Premier of the Cabinet in charge of machinery industry, from his position for his "irresponsibility and passiveness" in carrying out the modernisation project.