North Korea is extending the building of the top decision-making National Defense Commission in an apparent effort to accommodate more officials.

This suggests that the commission has become even more important in the repressive state since leader Kim Jong-un took office.

Construction is underway to add two more floors to the four-story building near Mansudae in Pyongyang, a source said on Tuesday. "The aim is to put all offices in one place because staff has increased."

The commission has also reportedly been using parts of the Supreme People's Assembly and Ministry of the People's Armed Forces buildings to accommodate some offices. The staff has been enlarged to handle South Korea-related affairs as it started playing a leading role in inter-Korean talks recent ly.

The work is being carried out by the Army's best corps of engineers using the best materials, the source added.

In October, meanwhile, an estimated 80 soldiers and laborers were killed in the collapse of a residential apartment under construction because builders were cutting corners under pressure to complete it.

