North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has instructed the factories manufacturing arms in his country to boost up the production for missile engines, artillery, and other weapons to increase the capacity as an important part of bolstering the country's defence capabilities. His instruction came as he visited multiple arms production facilities over several days amid Pyongyang's push to develop various strategic and conventional weapons, reported Reuters citing KCNA.
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," the agency said.
The North Korean leader's inspection which spanned from Thursday to Saturday included the production of engines for strategic cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, and shells for super large-calibre multiple-rocket launchers and transporter-erector-launchers, the KCNA stated. The launchers he inspected are normally used to fire ballistic missiles.
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Last month, the east Asian country tested its new ballistic missiles, including a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile.
Kim cited improved precision processing and modernised automation in the production of large-calibre multiple-rocket launcher shells, KCNA said.
On June 27, Pyongyang held a major military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean war where it displayed its new nuclear-capable missiles and attack and spy drones, with with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and a senior Chinese official joining Kim in the reviewing stand.
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During the visit, Kim also took Shoigu on a tour to display of ballistic missile and what appeared to be a new drone at a large defence exhibition, as per the Reuters report.
The US has accused North Korea of supplying Russia with arms for its war in Ukraine, including a "significant" number of artillery shells, as well as shipment of infantry rockets and missiles to Russia's mercenary Wagner Group.