North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited arms factories this week, state media source KCNA reported on Wednesday, as the US and its allies blasted the country’s weaponry supplies to Russia.
Kim also cited recent “shortcomings” in the structure of munitions manufacturing and called for a rethink, emphasising the “strategic importance of major weapon production,” state media reported.
Kim inspected mobile short-range missile launch vehicles during his visit to a munitions plant, according to KCNA photographs.
His visit comes as almost 50 countries denounce Russia’s acquisition and deployment of North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine.
“Russia’s use of DPRK ballistic missiles in Ukraine also provides valuable technical and military insights to the DPRK,” the joint statement stated on Tuesday, using the acronym for North Korea’s official name.
In a call with his South Korean colleague, Chang Ho-jin, on Tuesday, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan “condemned in the strongest possible terms” North Korea’s transfer of missiles to Russia, according to the administration.
U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby claimed on Tuesday that Russia had fired more such weapons against Ukraine, including one that landed in Kharkiv, following the initially reported deployment of North Korean ballistic missiles on December 30 and January 2.
The United States, along with its friends and partners, will raise the issue with the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, he said during a briefing.
Kim also stated that it is time to classify South Korea as a “most hostile” state to his country, according to KCNA.
He accused Seoul of instigating conflict and armaments building while pressing his country to strengthen its military capacities for self-defence and nuclear war deterrence. He referred to deteriorating relations between the two Koreas as a “new phase of change” and an “unavoidable reality”.
“We would by no means unilaterally bring a great event by the overwhelming strength in the Korean peninsula but we have no intention of avoiding a war as well,” the commander in chief was reported as saying.
Kim stated at a year-end party gathering last month that peaceful reunification is unattainable, and that the government would implement a “decisive policy change” in relations with South Korea.
