NORTH Korean dictator Kin Jong-Un visited a key military factory as he continues to ramp up the country’s weapons production capabilities.
The ruthless leader also paid a visit to a tactical missile plant, after touring some of the country’s major weapons factories last week.
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Kim “expressed satisfaction” with a factory’s “recent focus on tactical missile production” and “expanding production capacity” during his visits last week, state media KCNA reported on Monday.
He “presented a significant goal” to improve missile production, praised the latest operability of howitzer shells, and personally drove a combat armoured vehicle, they added.
This is the latest in a string of visits by the leader of the communist country to defense facilities where he has emphasized mass production of weapons.
Between last Thursday and Saturday, he visited a series of production lines of engines for strategic cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Kim also inspected factories producing shells for super large-calibre multiple rocket launchers and transporter-erector-launchers, which are normally used to fire ballistic missiles, according to a KCNA report from last Sunday.
He gave instructions for increasing production capacities at the factories as an important part of strengthening the country’s defence capabilities, they added.
North Korea has tested rocket launchers for larger calibre shells, advanced cruise missiles, and, last month, its newest ballistic missiles including solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Kim called for the mass production of “various kinds of cutting-edge strategic weapon engines… and thus make a great contribution to bringing about a revolution in developing new strategic weapons of our style,” KCNA reported.
He then urged the factory to move ahead with the development and large-scale production of new kinds of ammunition, the KCNA said.
He echoed the message in visits to two other factories, calling the delivery of launcher trucks designed to transport and fire ballistic missiles “a top priority” for the military and urging for the “rapid expansion” of production of more reliable engines for cruise missiles and drones.
KCNA separately said on Monday that Kim visited “typhoon-hit areas” after tropical storm Khanun swept over the Korean peninsula last week, flooding farmlands.
Kim’s reported visits to multiple arms production facilities over several days were unusual but come amid a push by the country to develop various strategic and conventional weapons.
Late last month, while marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, they put on a major military parade displaying their newest nuclear-capable missiles and attack and spy drones with senior officials from Beijing and Moscow in attendance, including Russia‘s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.
In a chilling warning to the West, at least four new military drones were displayed through Kim Il Sung Square.
New attack and spy drones were also flown overhead in a show of strength, KCNA reported.
The parade is also understood to have included North Korea‘s latest Hwasong-17 and Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missiles.
They are believed to have the range to strike anywhere in the United States.
North Korea also held a large defence exhibition to coincide with the anniversary and Kim gave Shoigu a tour of the display of ballistic missiles and what appeared to be a new drone.
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Taryn Pedler
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