N.K. leader inspects munitions factory after key party meeting

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited major munitions and machinery factories, calling for efforts to expand production in the overall economic sector, according to state media Wednesday. The inspection took place Tuesday, a day after North Korea wrapped up four days of a plenary meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Accompanied by party officials, Kim visited a defense industrial enterprise, which the North said plays a key role in bolstering the country's defense capabilities. He stressed the need for party officials to "thoroughly study and arm themselves in order to properly organize and guide the modernization of production lines at all units in the economic field," the KCNA said. Later in the day, Kim also visited major machine and medical appliance factories. During the latest plenary meeting, Kim expressed his satisfaction with the economic performance in the first half of the year, saying the country's econ omic situations are markedly on an upturn. The inspection appears to be aimed at encouraging party officials to expand the modernization of the defense industry to other economic sectors. North Korea has been intensifying its efforts to revitalize the defense industry, with experts suggesting that this is not only for strengthening its defense capabilities but also to benefit from Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine. Kim had previously visited key defense industry facilities multiple times in May. Source: Yonhap News Agency