Kim gave the order as he visited key munitions factories that produce tactical missiles, missile launch platforms, armored vehicles and artillery shells on Friday and Saturday.
His field inspection was the latest in a series of visits to arms factories, where he ordered the mass production of weapons, and took place days before South Korea and the United States do not begin annual military exercises, which Pyongyang sees as a rehearsal for war.
Kim noted a “significant goal to significantly increase” missile production capacity to meet the needs of expanded and reinforced front-line military units, KCNA said.
“Qualitative levels of war preparations depend on the development of the ammunition industry, and the factory has a huge responsibility in accelerating our military’s war preparations,” he said.
At other factories, Kim inspected and drove a new utility armored fighting vehicle, and hailed recent progress in upgrading production lines for large-caliber multiple rocket launcher shells, KCNA said.
There was a “very urgent need” to “exponentially increase” the production of these rockets to bolster front-line artillery units, he said.
“Our army absolutely must ensure overwhelming military power and solid preparation to handle any war at any time, so that the enemy dares not use force and will be annihilated if he does,” he said. said Kim.
South Korea and the United States said on Monday they would hold the Ulchi Freedom Guardian summer exercises from Aug. 21-31 to improve their ability to respond to North Korea’s ever-evolving nuclear and missile threats.
North Korea has denounced allied military drills as a rehearsal for nuclear war.
This year’s drills will take place on the “largest scale ever”, mobilizing tens of thousands of troops from both sides, as well as some member states of the United Nations Command, for about 30 field training programs, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. (JCS).
“The drills are an essential part of maintaining a robust combined defense posture in the event of an emergency – absolutely necessary to respond to the growing military threat from North Korea,” said JCS spokesman Col. Lee Sung. -jun, during a press briefing.
The United States has accused North Korea of supplying weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine, including artillery shells, shoulder rockets and missiles.
North Korea and Russia have denied any arms deals.
The leaders of South Korea, the United States and Japan are also expected to discuss security cooperation on North Korea, Ukraine and other issues when they meet for a trilateral summit on 18 August at Camp David.
KCNA said separately on Monday that Kim had traveled to “typhoon-affected areas” after Tropical Storm Khanun swept across the Korean Peninsula last week, inundating farmland.
