North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gives a field orientation at a major weapons factory in this image released by North Korea’s Central News Agency on August 6, 2023. KCNA via REUTERS
SEOUL (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gave a field orientation at major weapons factories Thursday through Saturday, including production lines for engines for strategic cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, the leader said. Sunday the state news agency KCNA.
Kim also inspected factories that produce projectiles for large-caliber multiple rocket launchers and transporter launchers, which are normally used to fire ballistic missiles, KCNA reported.
He gave instructions to increase production capacities at factories as an important part of bolstering the country’s defense capabilities, KCNA said.
Inspecting the munitions factory, Kim noted improved precision processing and modernized automation in the production of large-caliber multiple rocket launchers, KCNA said.
North Korea has tested rocket launchers for larger-calibre projectiles, advanced cruise missiles and, last month, its newest ballistic missiles, including the solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Kim called for the mass production of “various types of state-of-the-art strategic weapons engines… and thus make a great contribution to bringing about a revolution in the development of new strategic weapons of our style,” KCNA said.
Kim’s reported visits to multiple weapons production facilities over several consecutive days were unusual, but came amid a country’s push to develop various strategic and conventional weapons and recent high-profile displays of a range of weapons.
At the end of July, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, it organized a major military parade displaying its latest nuclear-capable missiles and attack and spy drones with top officials from Beijing and Moscow, including Russian Defense Minister Sergei. Shoigu.
North Korea also held a large defense exhibition to coincide with the anniversary and Kim gave Shoigu a tour of the ballistic missile exhibit and what appeared to be a new drone.
The United States has accused North Korea of supplying Russia with weapons for its war with Ukraine, including a “significant” number of artillery shells, as well as a shipment of rockets and infantry missiles to the Russian private military company, the Wagner Group. .
Both Russia and North Korea have denied those claims.
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