North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently inspected a factory manufacturing multiple rocket launchers and instructed officials to boost production of the weapons system, which is expected to form the core of the country's modernized long-range artillery, according to state media on Tuesday (Dec 30).

In the weeks leading up to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party next year, Kim has conducted a series of visits to weapons manufacturing facilities, toured a nuclear-powered submarine, and supervised missile tests. The upcoming congress, which will outline major policy objectives, has not yet been scheduled, though analysts believe it could take place as early as January.

State news agency KCNA quoted Kim as emphasizing the need to further refine the factory’s production system to strengthen manufacturing capacity and ensure the successful achievement of munitions production targets to be announced at the party congress. Photographs released by state media showed Kim inspecting the facility, where large rocket launcher vehicles equipped with what appeared to be multiple rockets were arranged in rows.

Analysts suggest that Kim’s recent efforts to showcase advanced nuclear-capable weapons — including upgraded cruise missiles and artillery rockets — indicate he may use the party congress to announce plans to expand nuclear weapons production and introduce new weapons systems. According to Park Won-gon, a North Korea specialist at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, these military actions are also aimed at strengthening Kim’s negotiating position, particularly with the United States, as potential diplomatic talks may open next year.