Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has unveiled a plan to build new munitions factories to expand the production capacity of missiles and shells, emphasizing the importance of raising their production to bolster the war deterrent, state media reported Friday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim made these remarks during his visit to key munitions industry enterprises as he inspected missile and shell production in the fourth quarter. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not specify the date of his inspection or the factories' locations. Kim has ordered an expansion in the production capacity of missiles and shells and noted that plans to construct new munitions factories will be decided at the upcoming party congress.
Kim stated, "In order to satisfy the prospective demands of the missile and artillery forces of the Korean People's Army, it is necessary to continuously raise the level of modernization of the munitions industry by establishing new munitions industry enterprises as planned," according to the KCNA. He further emphasized the critical role of the missile and shell production sector in strengthening the war deterrent.
Kim's entourage during the visit included Jo Chun-ryong, a party secretary, and Kim Jong-sik, the first vice director in charge of the munitions industry at the Workers' Party of Korea. This inspection appears to be aimed at reviewing accomplishments in the defense sector ahead of the ninth party congress set for early next year. North Korea's state media reported Thursday that Kim inspected an 8,700-ton "nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine" under construction.
The North's leader has consistently called for expanding missile and shell production during his visits to key munitions factories, sparking speculation about the move's relation to North Korea's weapons exports to Russia. Since North Korea has sent around 15,000 troops to support Russia's war with Ukraine, Kim has highlighted the need to modernize conventional weapons and strengthen combat capabilities.