North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has ordered an increase in the production of strategic and conventional weapons, according to state media reports. Kim visited several weapons factories between Thursday and Saturday, where he inspected the production lines of engines for cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, shells for large-caliber rocket launchers, and transporter-erector-launchers for ballistic missiles.
Kim praised the workers for their efforts and urged them to “make a great contribution to bringing about a revolution in developing new strategic weapons of our style”. He also stressed the “important responsibilities and tasks in perfecting [the North’s] war readiness”
The visits come amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula, as the US and South Korea prepare to hold joint military drills later this month, which North Korea views as a rehearsal for invasion.
North Korea also displayed its newest nuclear-capable missiles and attack and spy drones at a massive military parade last week.