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North Korean state media has published images of Kim Jong Un’s tour of a significant munitions facility, which he praised as pivotal to the country’s military modernization. The inspection was conducted prior to his visit to China—the first in over six years—to observe a military parade in Beijing.
### Why It Matters
North Korea continues to expand its United Nations-sanctioned strategic weapons programs, developing ballistic missiles capable of reaching the continental United States, maneuverable hypersonic weapons, and systems designed for nuclear warheads. Kim’s arsenal is seen as a guarantee of national security, amid heightened tensions with South Korea due to frequent missile tests.
### What to Know
During his tour, Kim was briefed on a new automated production line that can manufacture various types of missiles in serial production. The facility reportedly integrates every stage of manufacturing—materials preparation, airframe and component production, testing, and final assembly—to enhance productivity and quality.
North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un tours an unnamed missile factory on August 31, 2025, according to state media.
Kim highlighted that the facility has met targets set by North Korea’s Five-Year Plan and significantly increased the country’s missile production capacity. He also urged the industry to prepare for new long-term goals announced at the Ninth Party Congress, scheduled for next year.
### Who Was Involved
The inspection was accompanied by Jo Chun Ryong (a senior party secretary), Jang Chang Ha (head of the country’s Missile Administration), and other party officials and defense industry managers.
### Upcoming Visit to China
On Wednesday, Kim is set to attend a military parade in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific and the “Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression.” His journey from Pyongyang began on Monday afternoon via a specialized armored train, with an expected arrival in Beijing on Tuesday.
This will be his first in-person meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping since January 2019. During the parade, Kim is scheduled to sit on Xi’s left side, with Russian President Vladimir Putin taking the place of honor on the right. This marks the first time leaders from three countries—considered by Washington as aligned against the U.S.-led international order—will appear together in one location.
### Quotes
The U.S. Director of National Intelligence noted in its 2025 threat report: “Kim will continue to prioritize efforts to build a more capable missile force—from cruise missiles to ICBMs and hypersonic glide vehicles—designed to evade U.S. and regional missile defenses, improve the North’s precision strike capabilities, and put U.S. and allied forces at risk.”
