Kim Jong-un Wearing 'Leather Coat' Visits Military Factory for On-site Guidance
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] North Korea announced that it has successfully conducted test launches of tactical guided missiles and long-range cruise missiles. While verifying the performance of various missile systems and demonstrating strike capabilities, it is also pressuring the United States with a 'strong-on-strong' stance.
Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on the 28th, "The National Defense Science Institute conducted test launches on January 25 and 27 for the renewal of the long-range cruise missile system and to confirm the explosive power of the operational warhead of the ground-to-ground (surface-to-surface) tactical guided missile, respectively."
It added, "The two launched tactical guided missiles precisely struck the target island, and it was confirmed that the explosive power of the operational warhead met the design requirements."
Regarding the cruise missiles launched on the 25th, the success of the launch was reported belatedly. The media stated, "The two launched long-range cruise missiles flew for 9,137 seconds (2 hours 35 minutes 17 seconds) along a set flight trajectory over the East Sea of Korea and hit the target island at the 1,800 km line," emphasizing, "The practical combat performance of the long-range cruise missile system reliably contributes to strengthening the country's war deterrence."
The agency reported, "The National Defense Science Institute's affiliated Missile Warhead Research Institute will continue to develop powerful warheads that perform various combat functions and missions," and "The successful test launch results of the weapon systems were reported to the Party Central Committee and received high evaluation."
It appears that Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, did not observe the two missile launches but only received reports on the results.
Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies said, "There is an aspect that North Korea is conducting a series of missile test launches under a prior plan to verify weapon systems deployed in actual combat during January, and ultimately intends to pressure the United States through a strong-on-strong military demonstration," adding, "The expression that the successful launches were reported to the Party Central Committee and received high evaluation is appearing for the first time, so it seems that the intensive missile tests in January are now concluded for the time being."
Meanwhile, the agency also revealed that General Secretary Kim inspected a military production factory on the same day.
KCNA stated, "Marshal Kim Jong-un conducted an on-site guidance at a military production factory producing important weapon systems," accompanied by Party Central Committee Organization Secretary Jo Yong-won, Deputy Directors Kim Jong-sik and Kim Yo-jong, and leading officials from the National Defense Science Institute. The specific date and location were not disclosed. In the released photos, General Secretary Kim wore a leather long coat symbolizing his authority.
This is the first time in 2 years and 8 months since June 2019 that General Secretary Kim inspected a military production factory in the Jagang Province area. It appears to show his determination to counter U.S. sanctions pressure with 'strengthening defense capabilities.' The agency's mention of "the challenge of U.S. imperialists and their followers who attempt to infringe upon our Republic's right to self-defense, which is more precious than life," also suggests this.
The agency reported, "The Marshal toured the revolutionary history education room and various production sites of the military factory, and specifically understood the recent technological and production process modernization achievements and current production status from the factory's responsible officials (cadres)."
At this occasion, General Secretary Kim "highly evaluated that the factory is thoroughly armed with the ideology of the Party Central Committee's 8th term 4th plenary meeting and is creating collective innovation and uplift in the production of important weapons to implement Party decisions," emphasizing, "The position and mission of the factory in the modernization of our armed forces and the realization of the country's defense development strategy are extremely important."
He further appealed that the factory's workers, technicians, cadres, and military inspectors "must rise as one in a general assault to thoroughly carry out the military production policies and guidelines presented by the Party's 8th Congress."
Additionally, the agency reported that General Secretary Kim recently visited the planned construction site of the large-scale greenhouse in the Ryunpo district of Hamju County, South Hamgyong Province.
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