Meanwhile across the border.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a munitions factory shortly after wrapping up a key Workers’ Party meeting.
Our North Korean affairs correspondent Kim Jung-sil explains what the visit could entail.
After wrapping up a key political meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Tuesday visited a munitions factory and other manufacturing sites along with senior officials of the party’s leadership.
North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Wednesday that Kim visited the National Defence Industrial Enterprise, and observed production lines there.
The enterprise is known to produce munitions including 240mm shells for multiple-launch rocket systems.
Kim’s visit to the weapons facility could be in line with his emphasis not only on enhancing the regime’s self-defense capabilities, but also to take advantage of Russia’s war with Ukraine , as Pyongyang and Moscow have been bolstering ties through arms transfers.
The visit also came shortly after the four-day meeting of the Workers’ Party Central Committee which started on Friday.
There, Kim emphasized the North’s accomplishments in the first half of the year, stating that the economy was in a “clear upturn.”
An official at South Korea’s Ministry of Unification said on Tuesday that what is striking from this meeting is that there was no mention of diplomatic achievements or messages to South Korea and the U.S.
“It’s possible the North was aware that it could be subjected to international condemnation if it puts too much emphasis on its achievements in defense and diplomacy. I think Kim’s intention of only stressing economic agendas is to strengthen the regime by bringing up sectors directly linked to people’s livelihoods.”
The Unification Ministry official also said the regime may hold a Standing Committee ahead of the Supreme People’s Assembly and discuss constitutional amendments.
“It’s highly possible that North Korea would strike out the phrase in its constitution Article 9 that says the North would strive to “reunify the country on the principle of independence, peaceful reunification, and great national unity.”
The Unification Ministry official said the government will keep a close eye on what direction the regime is taking.
Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.
Source : Arirang TV, https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=272801
Arirang TV(public institution's name)'s public work is used according to KOGL