North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered expanded missile and shell production capacity into 2026 and beyond, prioritising modernisation plans for submission to a key Workers’ Party congress, as reported by state media Korean Central News Agency amid ongoing regional tensions.
Kim Jong Un, leader of North Korea, inspected major munitions enterprises in late 2025, directing officials to reinforce production facilities and approve draft modernisation plans to strengthen the country’s war deterrent, with documents set for review at the Workers’ Party congress in early 2026, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
Kim Jong Un Inspects Munitions Facilities
During visits to key munitions industry enterprises, Kim Jong Un reviewed missile components, production equipment and shell manufacturing processes alongside senior officials, state-run media reported. According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim described the missile and shell production sector as “of paramount importance” to bolstering North Korea’s war deterrent. He instructed that overall production capacity be expanded in a balanced manner in 2026 to meet operational demands of missile and artillery forces, as aired by state television KRT and covered by The Straits Times.
As reported by Choe Son Hui for Korean Central News Agency, Kim Jong Un stated that it is necessary to reinforce the technical foundations of relevant production enterprises to further expand capacity.
Modernisation Plans for Party Congress
Kim Jong Un ratified draft modernisation plans for major munitions enterprises during the inspections, with the documents expected to be submitted to the upcoming Workers’ Party congress in early 2026, where they will outline priorities for the next five-year development plan. The congress is anticipated to address the creation of new enterprises in the military-industrial complex and upgrades to existing factories, according to the Korean Central News Agency as cited by Izvestia. Officials briefed Kim on achievements in the missile and shell production sector for 2025, including fourth-quarter output, though specific figures and factory locations were not disclosed.
Recent Military Activities and Tests
North Korea has intensified missile testing in recent years to enhance precision strike capabilities, as noted by analysts cited in TRT World reports. On December 25, 2025, Pyongyang launched a long-range missile towards the East Sea using high-altitude and long-range anti-aircraft missiles, successfully hitting conditional targets at 200 km, according to the Korean Central News Agency via Izvestia. Kim also inspected an under-construction 8,700-tonne nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine, a project first unveiled in March, the agency added.
Strategic Emphasis on War Deterrence
Kim Jong Un stressed the need for a development-oriented production plan for 2026 to align with future operational requirements of the Korean People’s Army, emphasising modernisation through new factories and technical upgrades, as per Korean Central News Agency reports covered by TRT World. These directives come as North Korea prioritises missile development for the next five years to reinforce its military posture amid tensions with the United States, South Korea and regional dynamics, including exports to ally Russia, according to The Straits Times and TRT World. On Thursday, Kim criticised South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine plans with the United States as an offensive act threatening stability, state media stated.
Kim Jong Un’s inspections and orders signal North Korea’s commitment to expanding missile and munitions production into 2026, with plans advancing towards the Workers’ Party congress for formal adoption, as detailed in reports from the Korean Central News Agency, The Straits Times, TRT World and Izvestia.
