Summary of domestic news in North Korea this week

SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- The following is a summary of domestic news in North Korea this week.

N. Korea tests new torpedo, eyes early 2027 deployment

SEOUL -- North Korea has test-fired a new type of torpedo in the East Sea, state media reported Tuesday, saying it plans to deploy the system with its Navy in early 2027.

The Academy of Defense Sciences, the Missile Administration and the Torpedo Weapon Research Bureau "verified the combat effectiveness" of the new high-speed torpedo system Monday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

N. Korea's Kim stresses importance of agriculture, vows to improve rural life

SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has emphasized the importance of agriculture and pledged to improve living standards in rural areas, state media said Tuesday.

Kim spoke on Monday during a photo session with participants in the 10th Congress of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea (UAWK), the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

N. Korea rejects U.N. chief's call for inter-Korean dialogue after mine blast

SEOUL -- North Korea on Tuesday rejected U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' recent call to resume inter-Korean dialogue to ease tensions following September's mine blast near the border, accusing him of being "prejudiced and irresponsible."

Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, made the rejection in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

N. Korea's Kim inspects east coast naval base under construction, urges timely completion

SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected a major naval base under construction on the east coast, calling the project "crucial" to the country's security and maritime sovereignty, state media reported Thursday.

Kim made the remarks during his Wednesday visit and urged the construction work to be finished within the deadline set by the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

N. Korea warns of action against U.S.-led naval buildup

SEOUL -- North Korea on Thursday denounced what it called a U.S.-led naval buildup and nuclear submarine programs, warning it would counter the growing naval threat with unspecified "action."

Kim Jong-sik, first vice department director of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, made the remarks in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

N. Korea changes national flag's aspect ratio for 1st time since 1948

SEOUL -- North Korea has revised its constitution to change its national flag's aspect ratio for the first time since its regime was established in 1948, according to the amended basic law posted on the website of Pyongyang's propaganda outlet.

Article 166 of the revised constitution posted on Naenara's website stipulates that the ratio of the flag's height to its width is 1 to 1.65, replacing the previous ratio of 1 to 2.