North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued directives for a significant expansion of the country’s missile manufacturing capabilities during inspections of major defense industry facilities, according to state media reports. The visit, documented by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), emphasized the urgent need to enhance production capacity to meet future operational requirements of Pyongyang’s missile and artillery forces.
Kim, who serves as both General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of State Affairs, emphasized the necessity for development-oriented production planning for 2026. He specifically called for reinforcing technical foundations at production enterprises ‘in a balanced way’ to achieve comprehensive production expansion. The leader characterized the missile and artillery production sector as critically important for strengthening the country’s war deterrent capabilities.
The inspection included detailed technical and economic assessments aimed at modernizing North Korea’s defense industrial base. Kim instructed the country’s missile administration and relevant departments of the Second Economy Commission to prepare thoroughly for implementing new modernization and production plans. These initiatives are expected to be formally presented at the upcoming 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
During the visit, Kim personally reviewed and approved draft documents concerning the modernization of major munitions industry enterprises, which will be submitted to the party congress for formal consideration. The move signals Pyongyang’s continued prioritization of military modernization amid ongoing international tensions and sanctions regarding its weapons programs.