North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gives advice on the ground at a major arms factory in this image released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency on August 6, 2023. Photo by KCNA via Reuters
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has asked factories making missile engines, artillery and other weapons to increase their capacity as part of boosting the country’s defense capabilities, state media said on Sunday. .
Kim’s inspections from Thursday to Saturday included the production of engines for strategic cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as shells for super-large caliber multiple rocket launchers and transporter-erector-launchers, said the official KCNA news agency.
His unusual visits to several arms production facilities over several days come as Pyongyang strives to develop various strategic and conventional weapons and holds major displays of a range of weapons.
The launchers inspected by Kim are normally used to fire ballistic missiles.
North Korea has tested rocket launchers for larger caliber shells, advanced cruise missiles and last month its latest ballistic missiles, including a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile.
Kim cited improved precision processing and modernized automation in the production of large-caliber multiple rocket launcher shells, KCNA said.
He called for the mass production of “various types of advanced strategic weapon engines…and thus make a great contribution to the revolution in the development of new strategic weapons of our style,” the agency said.
The photos showed Kim firing different types of assault rifles, with fiery blasts emanating from the muzzle as he took aim at a target off target.
Cheong Seong-chang, an expert on North Korea’s political strategy at the Sejong Institute near Seoul, said Kim is likely to focus on weapons modernization and technical innovation that will help export China. arms to Russia.
Marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War on July 27, Pyongyang held a grand military parade showing off its new nuclear-capable missiles and attack and spy drones, with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and a senior Chinese official joining Kim in the review to stay.
At a major defense expo, Kim showed Shoigu around the ballistic missile exhibit and what appeared to be a new drone.
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 a shipment of rockets and missiles from infantry to the Russian mercenary Wagner Group.
Russia and North Korea have denied the allegations.
