Kim Jong Un
Between Thursday and Saturday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un provided field assistance at important military factories, including production lines for engines for strategic cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Kim also visited companies that manufacture shells for super large-calibre multiple rocket launchers and transporter-erector-launchers, which are often used to launch ballistic missiles.
Kim Jong Un gave orders to increase factory production capacities as a key aspect of strengthening the country’s defence capabilities.
During his inspection of the weapons facility, Kim noticed enhanced precise processing and modernized automation in the production of large-calibre multiple rocket launcher shells.
North Korea has tested rocket launchers for higher calibre rounds, sophisticated cruise missiles, and, most recently, solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM).
“Various kinds of cutting-edge strategic weapon engines… and thus make a significant contribution to bringing about a revolution in developing new strategic weapons of our style”, Kim added.
Kim’s reported excursions to several arms production facilities over several days were unprecedented, but they coincide with the country’s push to create diverse strategic and conventional weapons, as well as recent conspicuous exhibitions of a variety of weaponry.
It held a big military parade in late July to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, exhibiting its latest nuclear-capable missiles and attack and espionage drones, with senior officials from Beijing and Moscow in attendance, including Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.
To commemorate the anniversary, North Korea conducted a massive defence exhibition, and Kim offered Shoigu a tour of the display of ballistic missiles and what appeared to be a new drone.
The US has accused North Korea of supplying Russia with armaments for its war with Ukraine, including a significant amount of artillery shells, as well as a shipment of infantry rockets and missiles to the Wagner Group, a private Russian military company.
Russia and North Korea have both refuted the allegations.
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