Pyongyang [North Korea], June 14: The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on June 14 that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has just directed the expansion of production of a new type of artillery shell for modern warfare.
The directive was given during his inspection of a major ammunition manufacturing enterprise, the report said, without giving details.
During the visit, Kim reviewed artillery shell production, production capacity and modernization work in the first half of the year.
The leader called for further expansion and enhancement of production capacity to "meet all requirements of the national defense strategy and increase the output of new-type artillery shells with high destructive power to meet the requirements of modern warfare."
Besides, he also emphasized the need to improve the level of automated production processes to increase the output of new artillery shells.
His remarks came as North Korea is suspected of providing troops, artillery shells and other military equipment to Russia in its campaign in Ukraine, according to Yonhap.
Earlier on June 12, Mr. Kim attended the launching ceremony of a 5,000-ton destroyer after an accident during its first launch, and said that the country would build two more warships of the same type next year.
The launching ceremony was held at the Rajin Shipyard (located in North Korea's Rason Special Economic Zone , bordering Russia). During the ceremony, the North Korean leader announced the name of the new destroyer as Kang Kon.
In his speech at the ceremony, he announced plans to build two more 5,000-ton destroyers next year. In addition, the North Korean leader called for the military to strengthen its maritime presence in the Pacific in response to what he described as provocations from all sides.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
