North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a tour of a Pyongyang sock factory last July. Photo by Rodong Sinmun/Yonhap

SEOUL, April 10 (UPI) -- Unusual remarks about internationally trademarked products from North Korean leader during a sock factory tour were featured in an article on a North Korean media website Friday.

During the tour of Pyongyang Hosiery Factory, which took place last July, Kim was perusing an assortment of children's socks when he noticed a sample featuring cat logos around the ankle, Yonhap reported.


According to the article, Kim immediately recognized the logo.

"We have Kitty socks," he said, referring to Hello Kitty, the best known of Japan's Sanrio products.

South Korean newspaper JoongAng Daily reported the North Korean leader then unexpectedly asked a North Korean factory employee whether the plant also produced Winnie-the-Pooh socks.

When the employee responded they did, Kim told the employee to explain to the others who Pooh is because "there are people who don't know Pooh."

The employee, according to North Korea state media, was able to identify Pooh as a famous cartoon character who is a stuffed bear.

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Kim praised the employee, reported Yonhap, and stressed children's socks should contain popular characters that will be well liked by their young wearers.

It was unclear whether North Korea pays royalties to either The Walt Disney Company or Japanese firm Sanrio for reproducing trademarked characters on North Korean products.

The unusual exchange between Kim Jong Un and ordinary North Koreans may be evidence the young leader is taking a more globally minded approach to North Korea's economic development than his father Kim Jong Il and grandfather Kim Il Sung.

Kim attended an exclusive boarding school in Switzerland and in previous cases he has emphasized the importance of developing North Korean cultural products to international standards.

In March during a tour of a Pyongyang cosmetics factory Kim also mentioned the names of major brands Lancome, Chanel and Dior, reported Yonhap.