"War Preparations Complete" North Korea's Kim Jong-un Visits Military Supply Factory Ahead of Eulji Exercise

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, consecutively inspected munitions factories and emphasized the modernization of weapons for war preparation.

North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un is seen testing a rifle during his inspection of a local munitions factory from the 3rd to the 5th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Korean Central News Agency reported on the 6th that Chairman Kim visited important munitions factories, including a large-caliber rocket projectile production factory, from the 3rd to the 5th, "while grasping the status of the Party's core goals in military industrial policy." The agency also reported that Kim inspected the super-large-caliber rocket projectile production factory and "presented important directions for national defense economic projects, such as addressing issues arising in factory management and establishing capabilities for serial production of new types of ammunition."

Chairman Kim praised the factory's technological and production process modernization projects, stating that "new equipment and measuring devices were extensively introduced throughout the production process to enhance precision machining capabilities and realize automation," and that "working environment conditions were dramatically improved." He also emphasized "the important responsibilities and missions the factory holds in further completing the war preparations of the (North Korean) military" and "revealed methods for carrying out immediate and future tasks in front of this exemplary factory symbolizing the development and modernization of (North Korea's) defense industry."

Furthermore, Kim assessed the production status of sniper weapons and important strategic weapon systems, and the Korean Central News Agency reported that he conducted an on-site inspection of the production factory for strategic cruise missiles and unmanned attack vehicle engines.

Kim Jong-un's inspection of munitions factories took place ahead of South Korea's 'Eulji Exercise,' scheduled from the 21st to the 24th, which is linked to the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises. North Korea has strongly opposed the Eulji Exercise, calling it a "war rehearsal for invasion from the South." However, since Kim did not directly target expressions such as "American imperialists" or "South Korea" during the visit, some analysts interpret the inspection as largely a "publicity campaign" aimed at arms exports to Russia. This is seen as a continuation of the North Korea-Russia military cooperation showcased during the visit of the Russian military delegation to North Korea at the end of last month, coinciding with the 70th anniversary military parade of North Korea's "Victory Day" (Armistice Agreement anniversary).

Meanwhile, the inspection was accompanied by Jo Yong-won, Party Organization Secretary; Kim Jae-ryong, Party Discipline Secretary; Jo Chun-ryong, Director of the Military Industry Department; Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party; and Park Jong-chon, former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party and Party Secretary, who was dismissed earlier this year. Park Jong-chon, a former artillery commander, served as the Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission, the top military official, until the end of last year. Although he was suddenly dismissed earlier this year and had not appeared in official settings, his participation in this munitions factory inspection schedule suggests a strong possibility of his return to an important position.