PYONGYANG, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), visited the Ministry of National Defence on Sunday on the occasion of the 78th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Monday.

In his speech, Kim extended congratulations and greetings to all officers and soldiers, and encouragement to overseas special operations units, the KCNA report said.

As indicated by the Ninth Congress of the Party, the coming five years will be a period in which "the army's outstanding role will become further enhanced," Kim said.