N. Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits arms factory, focuses on military capabilities
北, 핵실험•ICBM 재개 시사 이어 김정은 군수공장 시찰...북미 간 대화 더 요원해지나 Following North Korea's signalling last week that it could resume nuclear and ICBM tests, its leader Kim Jong-un has reportedly visited a munitions factory. It's widely seen that the North is focusing more on arms... rather than talks. Yoon Jung-min reports. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reportedly visited a munitions factory, which produces key weapons systems, signaling a stronger emphasis on the regime's military capabilities. The Korean Central News Agency reported the news on Friday. Kim was accompanied by his sister Kim Yo-jong, party secretary Jo Yong-won, and other officials in charge of weapons development. Kim reportedly stressed the importance of modernizing the armed forces and carrying out defense development strategies... as well as his determination for powerful, state-of-the-art weapons. Officials at the factory reportedly praised Kim for "crushing the challenges by U.S. imperialists and their followers", evidently aiming a message toward the U.S. Kim Jong-un last visited a munitions factory in 2019. The visit comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula... following a series of missile tests by North Korea this month... while the U.S. is seeking to bolster sanctions on the regime. Last week, the North signaled... it would reconsider its moratorium on nuclear and ICBM tests, which are often considered as a so-called U.S. red line. Pyeongyang announced suspending nuclear and ICBM tests in 2018... to show "preemptive good will", but the regime says the U.S. continues to have hostile policies toward them. While the U.S. bolsters sanctions, it calls for dialogue and diplomacy. Experts see the prospects for a resumption of talks between Pyeongyang and Washington less likely for the time being, considering the current confrontation. Some also point out that North Korea isn't a high priority for the U.S. right now, which makes dialogue more difficult. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News. #NorthKorea #KimJongun #munitions_factory 📣 Arirang News(Facebook) : / arirangtvnews 📣 Arirang News(Twitter) : / arirangtvnews 📣 News Center(YouTube) : / newscenter_arirangtv 2022-01-28, 12:00 (KST)
