Kim is set to visit China to attend a military parade marking the end of World War II in the Pacific.
North Korean state media has released photos of Kim Jong Un’s tour of a major munitions factory, which he hailed as central to the country’s military modernization, state media reported.
The inspection took place ahead of his trip to China, his first in over six years, to attend a military parade in Beijing.Why It Matters
North Korea has steadily expanded its United Nations–sanctioned strategic weapons programs in recent years, developing ballistic missiles capable of reaching the continental United States, maneuverable hypersonic weapons, and systems designed to carry nuclear warheads.
North Korea’s frequent missile tests have become a key driver of tensions with South Korea. Kim insists the arsenal is a guarantor of national security, pointing to North Korea-focused security cooperation among Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo.
Newsweek reached out to the North Korean embassy in Beijing, China, by email with a request for comment.What To Know
During his tour of the munitions factory, Kim was briefed on a new fully automated production line with „various“ types of missiles already in serial production, the Korean Central News Agency reported Monday.
