NKorea's Kim Visits Arms Factories Amid Criticism over Trade with Russia

10 January 2024, North Korea: A picture released by the North Korean state news agency (KCNA) on 10 January 2024 shows North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un visiting munitions plants in undetermined places. Photo: YNA via KCNA/dpa
10 January 2024, North Korea: A picture released by the North Korean state news agency (KCNA) on 10 January 2024 shows North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un visiting munitions plants in undetermined places. Photo: YNA via KCNA/dpa
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NKorea's Kim Visits Arms Factories Amid Criticism over Trade with Russia

10 January 2024, North Korea: A picture released by the North Korean state news agency (KCNA) on 10 January 2024 shows North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un visiting munitions plants in undetermined places. Photo: YNA via KCNA/dpa
10 January 2024, North Korea: A picture released by the North Korean state news agency (KCNA) on 10 January 2024 shows North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un visiting munitions plants in undetermined places. Photo: YNA via KCNA/dpa

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited arms factories this week, state media outlet KCNA reported on Wednesday as the United States and its partners condemned the country's arms transfers with Russia.

Kim also highlighted recent "shortcomings" in the organization of munitions production and called for readjustment while emphasizing the "strategic importance of the production of major weapons", state media said.

KCNA photos of Kim's visit to a munitions factory showed him inspecting mobile short-range missile launch vehicles, Reuters reported.

His visit comes as nearly 50 countries condemned Russia's procurement and use of North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine.
"Russia’s use of DPRK ballistic missiles in Ukraine also provides valuable technical and military insights to the DPRK," the joint statement said on Tuesday, using the initials of North Korea's official name.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan in a call with his South Korean counterpart, Chang Ho-jin, on Tuesday "condemned in the strongest possible terms" North Korea's transfer of the missiles to Russia, the White House said.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday that after the initially reported uses of North Korean ballistic missiles on Dec. 30 and Jan. 2, Russia had fired more such weapons at Ukraine, including one that landed in Kharkiv.

The United States and its allies and partners will raise the issue with the UN Security Council on Wednesday, he said at a briefing.

Kim also said the time has come to define South Korea as a state "most hostile" towards his country, KCNA reported.

He accused Seoul of inciting confrontation and an arms buildup while urging his country to step up its military capabilities for self-defense and its nuclear war deterrent. He described worsening relations between the two Koreas as a "new phase of change" and "unavoidable reality".

"We would by no means unilaterally bring a great event by the overwhelming strength in the Korean peninsula but we have no intention of avoiding a war as well," the leader was quoted as saying.

In remarks to a year-end party meeting last month, Kim said peaceful reunification is impossible, adding that the government would make a "decisive policy change" in relations with South Korea.



Iran Says Continuing Uranium Enrichment on Its Soil 'Red Line'

People walk at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on June 3, 2025. (AFP)
People walk at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on June 3, 2025. (AFP)
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Iran Says Continuing Uranium Enrichment on Its Soil 'Red Line'

People walk at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on June 3, 2025. (AFP)
People walk at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on June 3, 2025. (AFP)

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that Iran's right to enrich uranium on its soil was a "red line" after the United States submitted its proposal for a new nuclear deal.

"Continuing enrichment on Iranian soil is our red line," Araghchi said while on a visit to Lebanon, adding that his country will respond to the proposal in the coming days based on Iran's "principled positions and the interests of the Iranian people".

US President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated that Iran will not be allowed any enrichment of uranium under a potential deal with Washington.

Araghchi said the US proposal, submitted through mediator Oman, has "many ambiguities and questions".

On Saturday, Iran said it received "elements" of a US proposal for a nuclear deal following five rounds of talks that started in April and were mediated by Oman.

Uranium enrichment has remained a key point of contention between Washington and Tehran in the talks to seal a nuclear deal, with Iran defending what it says is its right to pursue a peaceful nuclear energy program and the US calling it a "red line".

"We will not ask anyone for permission to continue enriching uranium in Iran. However, we are ready to take steps... to ensure that this enrichment will not lead to the production of nuclear weapons," Araghchi said.

Araghchi was visiting Beirut following a stop in Cairo on Monday, where he met with Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Grossi on Monday called for more transparency from Iran following a leaked report that showed Tehran had increased production of highly enriched uranium.

The IAEA report showed that Iran has ramped up production of uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity -- close to the roughly 90 percent level needed for atomic weapons.

Western countries, including the United States, have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, while Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.