North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visiting major arms factories to familiarize himself with the production of missiles and projectiles at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Photo published by KCNA on December 26, 2025. PHOTO: STR / AFP / Profimedia
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered officials to step up missile production and build more factories to meet the North Korean military's growing need for projectiles, state media reported Friday, according to AFP.
Pyongyang has significantly stepped up its missile testing in recent years – aimed, analysts say, at improving precision-strike capabilities, taunting the United States and South Korea and testing the weapons before exporting them to its key ally, Russia.
During a visit to munitions factories accompanied by senior officials, Kim ordered factories to prepare for a busy year, North Korea's official KCNA news agency reported.
The North Korean leader said it was necessary to “further expand total production capacity” to keep up with demand from Pyongyang's armed forces, and ordered the construction of new munitions factories, KCNA also wrote.
“The missile and projectile production sector is of paramount importance to strengthening the deterrence capability in the event of war,” Kim said.
North Korea and Russia have intensified relations since Moscow invaded Ukraine nearly four years ago and Pyongyang has sent troops to fight alongside the Russian military. North Korea has also sent artillery shells, missiles and long-range missile systems to Russia.
In return, Russia sends Pyongyang financial aid, military technology, food supplies and energy equipment, analysts say.
Washington has also pointed to evidence that Russia is stepping up support for North Korea, including by providing advanced satellite and space technology aid in exchange for assistance in the fight against Ukraine.
Analysts say satellite launchers and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) share much of the same basic technology.
“Given that its ICBM program is already at a stage considered by many to have achieved its main objectives, Pyongyang is likely to further accelerate development in the coming year,” said Ahn Chan-il, a North Korean-born researcher.
The country will likely shift “focus to testing and production of systems related to potential exports to Russia, including medium- and intermediate-range missiles,” the researcher also told AFP.
Nuclear submarines
Kim's visit was reported a day after state media reported that he visited a nuclear submarine factory and vowed to counter the “threat” posed by South Korea's production of such vessels, with Washington's support.
The North Korean leader was also briefed on research into “new secret underwater weapons,” KCNA said.
Pyongyang is expected to “seek advanced military technologies from Russia, including nuclear-powered submarine capabilities and fighter jets, as it seeks to address the relative weakness of its air force,” analyst Ahn Chan-il also told Agence France-Presse.
On Thursday, Kim oversaw the test launch of a new type of high-altitude, long-range anti-aircraft missile over the Sea of Japan.
He also said “new modernization and production plans” will be unveiled at the first congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea in early 2026 after a five-year hiatus.
