SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered officials to step up production of missiles and construct more factories to meet his military's growing need for the projectiles, state media said. In a visit to munitions factories accompanied by top officials, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kim had ordered the factories to prepare for a busy year ahead. In return, Russia is sending North Korea financial aid, military technology and food and energy supplies, analysts say. "With its ICBM program already at a stage widely seen as having achieved core objectives, Pyongyang is likely to further accelerate development next year," said Ahn Chan-il, a researcher originally from North Korea. The North Korean leader also learned about research into "new underwater secret weapons", KCNA said.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 26, 2025 13:41 UTC