North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has directed officials to significantly increase missile production and build additional munitions factories to meet the escalating demands of the country's military, state media reported on Friday.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim issued the orders during inspections of key munitions enterprises, accompanied by top officials.
He urged factory managers to gear up for a "busy year ahead" in weapons manufacturing.
Kim called for a further expansion of overall production capacity to support the armed forces and mandated the construction of new munitions plants.
"The missile and shell production sector is of paramount importance in bolstering up the war deterrent," he was quoted as saying.
North Korea has intensified its missile testing in recent years, with experts viewing the program as efforts to enhance precision strikes, pressure the United States and South Korea, and develop systems for potential export.
The heightened activity coincides with strengthening military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow since Russia's invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago.
Analysts believe North Korea has provided Russia with troops, artillery shells, missiles, and long-range rockets in exchange for financial aid, food, energy, and advanced military technology.
The United States has accused Russia of bolstering support for North Korea, including help with space and satellite programs technologies that overlap with intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) development.
"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 defector-turned-researcher.
He suggested a potential shift toward producing export-oriented weapons, such as medium- and intermediate-range missiles for Russia.
The munitions factory visits were reported one day after KCNA coverage of Kim's tour of a nuclear submarine facility, where he pledged to counter South Korea's U.S.-backed submarine plans and was briefed on "new underwater secret weapons."
Experts anticipate North Korea will seek further Russian assistance, including nuclear-powered submarine technology and modern fighter jets, to modernize its aging air force.
State media also reported Kim's recent supervision of tests for new high-altitude long-range anti-air missiles over the Sea of Japan.
He announced that updated modernization and production plans will be revealed at the upcoming Korean Workers’ Party congress, the first in nearly five years scheduled for early 2026.
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