Second Lead: Kim Urges Expansion of Missile and Shell Production

Table of Contents

North Korean Leader Announces Expansion of Munitions Production

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has announced a new plan to build additional munitions factories, aiming to increase the production capacity of missiles and shells. This move is seen as a critical step in strengthening the country's war deterrent, according to state media reports.

The announcement comes just a day after North Korea's state media revealed that Kim had inspected an 8,700-ton "nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine" currently under construction. This inspection highlights the ongoing efforts by North Korea to modernize its military capabilities.

During his visit to major munitions industry enterprises, Kim emphasized the importance of expanding missile and shell production. He reviewed the progress in the fourth quarter of the year, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). However, the specific date of the inspection and the exact locations of the factories were not disclosed.

Kim also mentioned that plans to construct new munitions factories will be finalized at the upcoming party congress. He stressed the need for modernizing the munitions industry, which he believes is essential for meeting the demands of the Korean People's Army's missile and artillery forces.

"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," Kim reportedly said.

He further emphasized that the missile and shell production sector plays a crucial role in enhancing the country's war deterrent. His entourage during the inspection included key officials such as 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 part of a broader effort to review and showcase achievements in the defense sector ahead of the ninth party congress, which is scheduled for early next year.

Kim has consistently advocated for increasing missile and shell production during his visits to key munitions factories. This has led to speculation that the move may be linked to North Korea's weapons exports to Russia. Since North Korea has deployed around 15,000 troops to support Russia's conflict in Ukraine, Kim has underscored the need to modernize conventional weapons and enhance combat capabilities.

South Korea's unification ministry has stated that Kim's recent military-related inspections are intended to highlight internal accomplishments in the defense sector and to justify the push to strengthen nuclear and defense capabilities.