SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued directives to increase the capacity of factories manufacturing missile engines, artillery, and other weapons as part of the country’s efforts to bolster its defense capabilities, according to state media reports on Sunday.
Kim’s recent inspections, which took place from Thursday to Saturday, focused on facilities producing engines for strategic cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. He also visited sites involved in the production of shells for super large-caliber multiple-rocket launchers and transporter-erector-launchers, as reported by the state news agency KCNA.
These unusual visits to various arms production facilities over multiple days coincide with North Korea’s ongoing efforts to develop a wide range of strategic and conventional weapons. The country has recently conducted tests of rocket launchers for larger caliber shells, advanced cruise missiles, and their newest ballistic missiles, including a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile.
During his inspections, Kim lauded the improved precision processing and modernized automation in the production of large-caliber multiple-rocket launcher shells. He called for the mass production of cutting-edge strategic weapon engines, aiming to revolutionize the development of new strategic weapons of North Korea’s own design.
Photos released by KCNA showed Kim personally firing different types of assault rifles, demonstrating the country’s military capabilities and determination to strengthen its defense capabilities.
Kim Aims to Drive North Korea’s Arms Export
Analysts, such as Cheong Seong-chang from the Sejong Institute near Seoul, speculate that Kim’s focus on modernization and technical innovation of weapons might be driven by a desire to enhance North Korea’s arms export capabilities, particularly to Russia.
On July 27, North Korea marked the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War with a major military parade, showcasing its newest nuclear-capable missiles and attack and spy drones. During the event, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and a senior Chinese official joined Kim on the reviewing stand.
In a significant show of cooperation, Kim toured a large defense exhibition with Shoigu, displaying ballistic missiles and what appeared to be a new drone.
It is worth noting that the United States has accused North Korea of supplying arms to Russia for its war in Ukraine, including a “significant” number of artillery shells, as well as infantry rockets and missiles to Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group. Both North Korea and Russia have denied these allegations.
