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| ▲ North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un (C) inspects a munitions factory producing multiple rocket launchers on Dec. 28, 2025, to review the production of weapons and combat equipment, in this photo carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency on Dec. 30. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This photo, carried by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Dec. 30, 2025, shows columns of multiple rocket launchers produced at a munitions factory that the North's leader Kim Jong-un inspected on Dec. 28 to review the production of weapons and combat equipment. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) |
(LEAD) NK leader-rocket launchers
(LEAD) N. Korea's Kim inspects factory producing multiple rocket launchers
(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in para 8, photos)
By Kim Soo-yeon
SEOUL, Dec. 30 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited a munitions factory producing multiple rocket launchers, calling for more production of the weapon system that can be used as a "strategic attack means," state media reported Tuesday.
Kim visited a major munitions industry enterprise Sunday to review the production of weapons and combat equipment, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, without disclosing the location of the factory.
Ahead of next year's key party congress, the North's leader has ramped up his military-related inspections, including a visit to the site of building a nuclear-powered submarine and overseeing launches of anti-air missiles and cruise missiles.
Noting the multiple rocket launcher system will be the primary strike capability, Kim called for a "revolution in upgrading the artillery weapon system," according to the KCNA.
"The weapon system, which will be used in large quantities for concentrated attack in military operations, is a super-powerful weapon system as it can annihilate the enemy through sudden precise strike with high accuracy and devastating power and can also be used as a strategic attack means," Kim said.
North Korea's reference to "strategic" weapons suggests that they could have nuclear capabilities.
"His field guidance on the day serves as a new milestone of great importance in increasing the country's war deterrent in a practical way," the KCNA said.
Kim's entourage included Jo Chun-ryong, a party secretary; Defense Minister No Kwang-chol; and Kim Jong-sik, the first vice director in charge of the munitions industry at the ruling party.
At the ninth party congress set for early next year, North Korea is expected to unveil its own "conventional-nuclear integration" strategy and stress the need to modernize its military capabilities.
In a key party congress in 2021, the North's leader unveiled a list of high-tech weapons to be developed, including spy satellites, solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear-powered submarines.
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