▲ North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un (front row, 2nd from L) inspects several munitions factories on May 11, 2026, to review the implementation of munitions production plans for the first half of this year, in this photo carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency on May 13. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
▲ North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un (C) inspects several munitions factories on May 11, 2026, to review the implementation of munitions production plans for the first half of this year, in this photo carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency on May 13. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

NK leader-munitions factories

N. Korea's Kim calls for strengthening mortar, howitzer capabilities

SEOUL, May 13 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has stressed the need to strengthen the country's mortar and howitzer forces during his inspection of key munitions factories, state media reported Wednesday.

Kim visited several munitions industrial enterprises Monday in a bid to review the implementation of the nation's munitions production plan for the first half of this year, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

At a bullet production factory, the North's leader set forth important tasks of establishing the production system for high-precision multipurpose bullets of different calibers and other bullets.

"He repeatedly stressed the need to strengthen the mortar and howitzer forces and advance some important tasks for setting up a specialized artillery production complex and a small-arms production factory," the KCNA said.

Kim was accompanied by key defense officials, including Jo Chun-ryong, a party secretary, and Kim Jong-sik, the first director of the ruling party's munitions industry department.

North Korea has been ramping up efforts to bolster its military capabilities in line with a five-year defense development plan unveiled at a key party congress in February.

During last week's visit to a munitions factory, Kim said North Korea plans to deploy a "new 155 mm self-propelled gun-howitzer" along its border with South Korea by the end of the year. He also observed a maneuvering assessment test aboard the 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon ahead of its commissioning.

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