Saturday, December 27, 2025 - Kim Jong Un has ordered officials to ramp up missile production and construct additional munitions factories to meet the growing demands of North Korea’s military, state media reported on Friday, December 26.
According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency
(KCNA), Kim issued the directive during visits to major munitions industry
enterprises, where he was accompanied by senior officials. He told factory
managers to prepare for what he described as a “busy year ahead” for weapons
production.
KCNA said Kim instructed officials “to further expand the
overall production capacity” in order to keep pace with the needs of
Pyongyang’s armed forces and ordered the construction of new munitions plants.
“The missile and shell production sector is of paramount
importance in bolstering up the war deterrent,” Kim was quoted as saying.
North Korea has sharply increased missile testing in recent
years, a move analysts say is aimed at improving precision strike capabilities,
challenging the United States and South Korea, and testing weapons systems
potentially destined for export.
Pyongyang’s growing military activity comes amid deepening
ties with Russia following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago.
Analysts say North Korea has supplied Russia with troops, artillery shells,
missiles and long-range rocket systems, while receiving financial assistance,
food, energy supplies and military technology in return.
Washington has also pointed to evidence suggesting Russia is
increasing support for North Korea, including assistance with advanced space
and satellite technology. Analysts note that satellite launch systems share
core technologies with intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
“With its ICBM program already at a stage widely seen as
having achieved core objectives, Pyongyang is likely to further accelerate
development next year,” said Ahn Chan-il, a researcher originally from North
Korea.
The analyst added that the country may shift its focus
toward producing weapons systems linked to potential exports to Russia,
including medium- and intermediate-range missiles.
Kim’s visit to the munitions factories was reported a day
after state media said he toured a nuclear submarine facility, where he vowed
to counter what he described as the threat posed by South Korea’s plans to
develop similar vessels with backing from the United States. KCNA also said Kim
was briefed on research into “new underwater secret weapons.”
North Korea is expected to seek additional advanced military
technologies from Russia, including nuclear-powered submarine capabilities and
fighter jets, as it works to address weaknesses in its air force, analysts say.
KCNA further reported that Kim recently oversaw the test
launch of new-type high-altitude long-range anti-air missiles over the Sea of
Japan. He also announced that “new modernisation and production plans” would be
unveiled at the first congress of the ruling Korean Workers’ Party in nearly
five years, expected to take place in early 2026.
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