SEOUL,
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the “expansion” and upgrading of the country’s missile production next year, as well as the construction of more facilities to fulfil rising demand, state media said Friday.
According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim instructed the facilities to meet “prospective requirements in the operation of the state missile and artillery forces” during a tour to munitions plants with top officials.
Kim stated that they would need “to further expand the overall production capacity” to meet demand from Pyongyang’s armed forces and ordered the construction of new weapons plants, according to KCNA.
“The missile and shell production sector is of paramount importance in strengthening the war deterrent,” the North Korean leader stated.
Pyongyang has considerably expanded its missile tests in recent years.
Analysts believe this is intended at enhancing precision strike capabilities, challenging the United States and South Korea, and testing weapons before potentially transferring them to Russia.
Kim’s visit came a day after state media reported that he saw a nuclear submarine factory and promised to address the “threat” of South Korea constructing its own such vessels.
According to KCNA, he also learnt about research into “new underwater secret weapons”.
Kim was also said to have witnessed the test launch of new high-altitude, long-range anti-aircraft missiles over the Sea of Japan.
North Korea’s ruling Korean Workers Party is set to convene its first congress in half a decade in early 2026, during which officials will discuss economic and military growth plans for the next five years.
