Kim Jong Un asks North Korea to drastically increase missile production

2023-08-14 09:23:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for a "dramatic increase" in missile production during his visits to weapons factories, state media reported Monday, days before the United States and South Korea are set to launch joint military exercises.

Kim visited the factories on Friday and Saturday, shortly after calling for speeding up preparations for war during a key meeting with the military last week.

Kim's two-day inspections took place at factories for the production of tactical missiles, rocket launchers and high-caliber projectiles, as well as the production of armored combat vehicles, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

During the visit to the tactical missile factory, Kim "expressed himself very satisfied", as the factory has "perfected the scientific and technological issues raised during production", as well as requested the continuation of the modernization of weapons.

"He set an important target for the drastic increase of the existing missile production capacity and underlined the role of the factory in accelerating preparations for war," said QALK.

Kimi stressed the need "to ensure increased production of shells, as well," and personally drove an armored fighting vehicle, according to the news agency.

The North Korean army must have an "overwhelming military force" and be "fully prepared to face any war at any time" against the enemy, Kim said, adding that his army must "definitely annihilate them." them, if they make any attack", according to QALK.

Kim made these comments and inspections at a time when South Korea and the United States are preparing for the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, which will be held from August 21 to August 31.

North Korea sees these exercises as preparations for an invasion, so it has warned of extraordinary steps in response.

Leaders from South Korea, the United States and Japan will also hold a trilateral summit on Friday in Washington as they aim to strengthen security cooperation in response to increased nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.

Last week, Kim led a meeting with senior military officials, urging them to prepare for war "offensively" as well as increase weapons production and conduct more military exercises.