North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered a significant increase in the production of missiles and other weapons during a recent inspection tour of major munitions factories, according to state media. This move comes just days before South Korea and the United States are set to begin their annual military drills, which North Korea sees as a rehearsal for invasion.
During his visit to the factories, Kim focused on facilities producing tactical missiles, mobile launch platforms, armored vehicles, and artillery shells. At the missile factory, he set a goal to “drastically boost” production capacity in order to meet the needs of frontline military units. Kim emphasized the importance of the munitions industry in speeding up war preparations for the North Korean People’s Army.
In addition to the missile factory, Kim also called for the construction of more modern missile launch trucks and urged the exponential increase in production of large-caliber multiple rocket launcher shells. He even test drove a new utility combat armored vehicle. These actions indicate Kim’s continued focus on enlarging North Korea’s nuclear and missile arsenals since the collapse of his diplomacy with former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019.
Since the beginning of 2022, Kim’s military has conducted over 100 missile tests, often seen as warnings to the United States and South Korea concerning their joint military training exercises. As the summer military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea are set to commence later this month, North Korea could perform more weapons tests. However, the U.S. and South Korea have repeatedly stated that their exercises are purely defensive in nature and not intended to provoke North Korea.
Kim’s ultimate goal with the expansion of his weapons arsenal is believed to be gaining concessions from the United States, such as sanctions relief, when diplomatic negotiations resume. Experts suggest that Kim aims to use his modernized weapons as a bargaining chip in future negotiations.
Meanwhile, North Korea’s ties with Russia have come under scrutiny. The White House recently announced that U.S. intelligence officials determined that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu discussed increasing the sale of munitions to Moscow during his visit to Pyongyang last month. Although North Korea has denied allegations of shipping artillery shells and ammunition to Russia, it has publicly supported Russia during the Ukraine conflict and hinted at sending workers to assist in the reconstruction of Russian-occupied territories.
Kim has been seeking to strengthen relations with China and Russia as his country faces pressure campaigns from the United States regarding its nuclear program and economic difficulties worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts to forge closer ties with neighboring countries suggest a strategic move by North Korea to counterbalance the pressure from the U.S. and its allies.
Original Story at www.mercedsunstar.com – 2023-08-14 03:02:30
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