North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued orders for a substantial boost in missile production, aimed at strengthening the country's military might and readiness for potential conflict. Kim's directive coincides with the forthcoming joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States, a move that North Korea traditionally views with suspicion and hostility.
Kim's orders were given during his recent visit to key munitions factories responsible for producing tactical missiles, missile launch platforms, armored vehicles, and artillery shells. This visit was part of a series of inspections he has conducted at arms facilities, consistently urging the mass production of weapons. His latest directive comes just ahead of the annual military drills between South Korea and the U.S., exercises that North Korea perceives as rehearsals for war.
Kim emphasized the necessity of significantly expanding missile production capacity to meet the demands of fortified frontline military units. He stressed the integral role of the munitions industry in enhancing the country's readiness for potential conflict.
“The qualitative levels of war preparations depend on the development of the munitions industry, and the factory has a tremendous responsibility in accelerating our military's war preparations," Kim noted.
Kim's visit also involved inspecting a new utility combat armored vehicle and commending the advancements made in modernizing production lines for large-caliber multiple rocket launcher rounds. He emphasized the urgency of exponentially increasing the production of such rockets to strengthen the capabilities of frontline artillery units.
"Our army must thoroughly secure overwhelming military power and solid readiness to handle any war at any time, so that the enemy does not dare to use force, and would be annihilated if it does," Kim stated emphatically.
South Korea and the United States announced their plans to conduct the Ulchi Freedom Guardian summer exercises from August 21 to 31, with the goal of enhancing their collective response to North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats. North Korea has consistently criticized these joint military drills, labeling them as a potential precursor to nuclear conflict.
This year's exercises are set to be the most extensive ever, involving tens of thousands of troops from both countries, as well as some United Nations Command member states, in approximately 30 field training programs, as per South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
"The exercises are an essential element in maintaining robust combined defense posture in case of emergency - absolutely necessary to respond to the growing military threat from North Korea," JCS spokesman Col. Lee Sung-jun asserted.
Amid these developments, accusations have surfaced regarding North Korea's alleged supply of weaponry to Russia for its involvement in the conflict
in Ukraine, including artillery shells, shoulder-fired rockets, and missiles. Both North Korea and Russia have vehemently denied any arms transactions between them.
Looking ahead, the leaders of South Korea, the United States, and Japan are scheduled to convene for a trilateral summit on August 18 at Camp David. The summit is expected to address security cooperation in relation to North Korea, Ukraine, and other regional concerns.
KCNA also reported that Kim visited areas impacted by the recent tropical storm Khanun, which resulted in widespread flooding across the Korean peninsula.
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