Kim Jong Un visited several North Korean defense manufacturing facilities, including artillery and ammunition factories, where he called for modernization of military production systems and equipment.
North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported on May 13 that Kim had conducted on-site inspections of military industrial enterprises on May 11.
According to the report, Kim encouraged defense industry workers while also acknowledging shortcomings within North Korea’s military manufacturing sector.
“There are still deficiencies embedded in the structure, production systems and facilities of our defense industry,” Kim was quoted as saying, while emphasizing the need to modernize production processes.
He specifically called for more scientific and detailed product inspection standards and ordered improvements in worker welfare and logistical support systems, including food, clothing and housing conditions for factory employees.
The newspaper also reported that Kim visited an ammunition plant and presented what it described as “important tasks” related to establishing production systems for high-precision multi-purpose rounds, specialized ammunition and training munitions across various calibers.
During the visit, Kim stressed the need to strengthen North Korea’s mortar and howitzer capabilities and said the country should establish specialized artillery weapons manufacturing complexes and sniper weapon production facilities.
The remarks come as North Korea has recently appeared to expand deployments of mortar and artillery units near frontline areas.
Rodong Sinmun described Kim’s directives as “scientific and programmatic guidelines” outlining the fastest and most accurate path toward modernization of the country’s defense industry, adding that they would accelerate qualitative and technological transformation in military production.
Senior North Korean defense and military industry officials accompanied Kim during the inspections, including Jo Chun-ryong, secretary for the defense industry department of the Workers’ Party; Pak Jong-chon, adviser to the Ministry of National Defense; and Kim Kang-il, vice defense minister and head of the Equipment General Bureau.