North Korean Leader Gives On-Site Instructions at Major Weapons Factories

The Korean Central News Agency reported that "North Korean leader Kim Jong Un provided on-site instructions at major weapons factories between Thursday and Saturday, including production lines for strategic cruise missiles and drones." It stated that he "issued directives to increase production capacities at the factories as a crucial part of enhancing the country's defense capabilities." The report added that "while inspecting an ammunition factory, Kim noted improvements in precision processing and modern automation in the production of large-caliber multiple rocket launchers." The agency quoted Kim calling for "mass production of various types of advanced strategic weapon engines... thus making a significant contribution to revolutionizing the development of new strategic weapons of our kind." Kim's visits to several arms production facilities over consecutive days were unusual but came amid a state push to develop various strategic and conventional weapons and prominent displays of a range of weapons recently.