General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), Kim Jong Un, has directed the modernization of armored weapon systems during a visit to a tank factory, where he observed the production of advanced large-scale tanks.
Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the WPK, reported on May 4 that Kim conducted a detailed inspection of the important tank factory, examining its production status, modernization efforts, and progress on key tank technology research projects. He was accompanied by high-ranking officials, including Jo Chun-ryong, Secretary of the WPK Central Committee, Kim Jung-sik, First Deputy Director of the WPK Central Committee, and Kim Yong-hwan, Director of the State Academy of Defense Sciences.
According to the newspaper, Kim emphasized that upgrading tanks and armored vehicles with cutting-edge models is a critical component of army modernization. He praised the unwavering development and productivity that have realized the Central Military Commission of the WPK’s vision and policies for perfecting core technologies of main battle tanks.
The report highlighted Kim’s commendation of scientists and engineers for their innovative achievements, particularly in developing integrated power transmission systems and updating new active protection complexes, passive defense measures, and electronic warfare systems.
Kim underscored the significance of establishing production capabilities for advanced large-scale tanks and self-propelled artillery. He stated that rapidly modernizing the military’s armored weapon systems is a crucial task in realizing the WPK Central Committee’s grand vision and strategic objectives for a second armored revolution.
The newspaper reported that Kim outlined the fundamental direction for tank modernization, along with associated tasks and methods. He indicated plans to thoroughly review the modernization project for the factory’s production processes. However, specific details of these plans were not disclosed to the public.