Kim directed the factories to get ready for a busy year ahead, according to KCNA in a visit to the ammunition factories made on Friday, along with top officials.
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According to KCNA, Kim said, “The country’s missile and shell production sector is of paramount importance in bolstering war deterrent.”
Kim also mandated the construction of new munitions plants in order to “increase the overall production capacity” and keep up with the demand from the armed forces, according to KCNA.
Kim’s request for more missiles came after he was featured on a Thursday visit to a shipyard to oversee the construction of what North Korea claims will be an 8,700-tonne nuclear submarine capable of launch surface-to-air missiles.
In one of Kim’s photos taken at the shipyard, he was seen with his daughter and senior officials inspecting a massive, burgundy-colored vessel that was being constructed inside an assembly hall.
The submarine’s lower sections were mostly visible in the lower sections of the vessel, which was the first time the state media of North Korea had made them available.
The submarine’s hull, according to Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Seoul-based Korea Institute for National Unification, has been designed to house a nuclear reactor, and is about to set sail.
Kim expressed concern about South Korea’s plans to build nuclear-powered submarines during the submarine inspection, citing the threat it poses to North Korea’s security.
Lee Jae Myung, the president of South Korea, urged Washington to support South Korea’s efforts to acquire nuclear-powered submarines at a summit with US President Donald Trump in November. Trump later stated that the US was willing to transfer highly developed technology to South Korea so they can build nuclear submarines.
Kim orders more missile development.
Kim reportedly oversaw the testing of new high-altitude, long-range anti-air missiles over the Sea of Japan, according to reports on Thursday.
The leader of the North’s party, who is reportedly cited as saying, “New production plans and modernization plans” would be unveiled at his-minoring Korean Workers Party congress on January 1.
According to analysts, Kim’s recent efforts to increase missile testing are intended to strengthen precision-strike capabilities, putting pressure on both the US and South Korea, as well as testing weapons systems before potential exports to Russia.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago, Pyongyang and Moscow’s already stable relations have gotten even stronger. According to analysts, North Korea has reportedly provided troops, long-range rocket systems, artillery shells, and missiles as part of a mutual defense agreement Kim and Vladimir Putin signed.
Russia reportedly gave North Korea financial aid, military equipment, and food and energy supplies in exchange for Pyongyang’s military support.
Additionally, Washington has stated that there is proof that Moscow supports advanced space and satellite technology.
Source: Aljazeera
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