North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a photo session with hundreds of people who contributed to the successful test-launching of the country's intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Wednesday.

In a brief English dispatch, the KCNA said Kim congratulated the related personnel for their successful test-firing of the Musudan surface-to-surface IRBM that is called the Hwasong-10 by the North.

The media outlet said the launch is of "weighty significance in increasing the defense capabilities of Juche (self-reliant) Korea in every way."

"Kim expressed his expectation and belief that the scientists, technicians, workers and officials in the sector of national defense science would perform fresh miracles and innovations in their scientific research for national defense and munitions production," according to the KCNA.

On June 22, North Korea test-launched two Musudans off its east coast in its fifth and sixth attempts to test the missile. The first is known to have exploded in midair, but the second reached an altitude of over 1,000 kilometers and flew some 400 kilometers before hitting the East Sea, which is seen as progress. (Yonhap)