Ordering North Korea to Increase Missile Production, Kim Jong-un: Soldiers Must Be Prepared for War

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered increased production of missiles and artillery shells, so that the country has a military force ready to go to war at any time, state media KCNA reported, Monday, August 14.

He made this statement while visiting a defense industry factory that produces tactical missiles, missile launch platforms, armored vehicles, and artillery shells on Friday and Saturday last week.

The visit is part of a series of inspections of North Korea's defense industrial plants, which began days before South Korea and the United States are due to begin annual military drills seen by Pyongyang as war games.

Leader Kim underlined the "important aim to dramatically increase" the missile production capacity to meet the needs of expanded and strengthened frontline military units, KCNA said.

"The qualitative level of war preparation depends on the development of the munitions industry, and this factory has a tremendous responsibility in speeding up our military's war preparations," said Leader Kim, citing Reuters, August 14.

At another factory, he inspected and drove a new utility combat armored vehicle, praising the recent progress in modernizing the production line for large-caliber rocket launcher shells, KCNA said.

He further said, "there is an urgent need to increase exponentially the production of such rockets, to strengthen the frontline artillery units".

"Our army must strictly secure overwhelming military strength and solid readiness to meet any war at any time, so that the enemy does not dare to use force, and will be annihilated if it does," Leader Kim emphasized.

It is known, the South Korean and US militaries are expected to hold 'Ulchi Freedom Guardian' summer exercises this month. Pyongyang denounced the drills as rehearsals for nuclear war.

The United States itself accuses North Korea of ​​providing Russia with weapons for its war on Ukraine, including artillery shells, individual troop-fired rockets (MANPADS), and missiles.

Neither North Korea nor Russia have denied any such arms transaction between the two countries.