Kim Jong Un Inspects New Missile Factory Ahead of Visit to China
Pyongyang says the facility is central to plans to accelerate mass production of missiles as Kim departs for a Beijing military parade attended by global leaders including Vladimir Putin
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a new weapons factory Sunday that state media said is central to his plan to accelerate mass production of missiles, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.
KCNA did not disclose the factory’s location, but said the inspection took place over the weekend as Kim prepared to depart for China to attend a major military parade in Beijing on Wednesday. The event, which marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and China’s wartime resistance against Japan, will host about two dozen foreign leaders invited by Chinese President Xi Jinping, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"Photo released by KCNA, via ABC News"
North Korean state media did not identify the facility’s precise location; South Korean officials and observers noted it may be in Jagang province, a key munitions production hub that borders China. KCNA said the factory inspection was part of efforts to "accelerate mass production of precision strike weapons," language that underscores Pyongyang’s public emphasis on expanding its missile manufacturing capacity.
Both China and North Korea confirmed last week that Kim would make his first visit to China in six years to attend the Beijing parade. The gathering of leaders comes as relations between China, Russia and North Korea have drawn attention for closer diplomatic and military ties. North Korea has provided wartime support to Russia during its invasion of Ukraine, and Moscow’s invitation to the parade signals continued cooperation between the two countries.
North Korea’s announcement did not specify the types of weapons to be produced at the new facility or provide details on production timelines. State media coverage of leader inspections of military and industrial sites is a regular practice in Pyongyang and is used to signal priorities to domestic and international audiences.
The planned trip to Beijing and the timing of the factory inspection are expected to be watched closely by regional governments and Washington, which has sought to bolster security cooperation with allies in East Asia in response to North Korea’s weapons developments and broader regional tensions. Chinese and Russian participation in the Beijing event will bring together leaders whose interactions are often interpreted as elements of broader strategic competition with the United States and its partners.
The report on the inspection was first filed by the Associated Press and circulated by international outlets. KCNA’s brief account leaves several questions unanswered about the scale and operational status of the new facility. North Korea’s missile development and testing activities have repeatedly drawn international condemnation and sanctions in past years; however, the latest announcement focused on industrial expansion rather than specific test launches or deployments.
As Kim departs for Beijing, details provided by Pyongyang are limited to official state reports. The international community, regional capitals and analysts will monitor the outcomes of his visit and any further North Korean disclosures for indications of changes in the country’s weapons production capabilities and diplomatic posture.