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.



EU Ministers Adopt Iran Sanctions Over Citizen Detentions 

Iranians drive next to an anti-US mural in a street, in Tehran, Iran, 08 April 2025. (EPA)
Iranians drive next to an anti-US mural in a street, in Tehran, Iran, 08 April 2025. (EPA)
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EU Ministers Adopt Iran Sanctions Over Citizen Detentions 

Iranians drive next to an anti-US mural in a street, in Tehran, Iran, 08 April 2025. (EPA)
Iranians drive next to an anti-US mural in a street, in Tehran, Iran, 08 April 2025. (EPA)

European Union foreign ministers on Monday adopted sanctions against seven Iranian individuals and two organizations over the detention of EU citizens, which the bloc calls a policy of state-sponsored hostage-taking, diplomats said. 

A list of those sanctioned, seen by Reuters, included the director of Tehran's Evin prison and several judges and other judicial officials. The main prison in the city of Shiraz was among the organizations sanctioned. 

EU sanctions consist of a freeze on any assets held in the European Union and a ban on any travel into the bloc. 

In recent years, Iran's Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security. Among them are at least 20 European citizens, diplomats say. 

Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to extract concessions from countries through such arrests, allegations denied by Iran, which does not recognize dual nationality. 

France, which has two of its nationals detained in what it has described as conditions akin to torture, has led efforts to add pressure on Iran over the issue. 

"I am happy that we can take these sanctions today against seven people and two entities, including the Shiraz prison," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told reporters on his arrival at an EU meeting in Luxembourg. 

"It's about time, because the conditions in which some of our compatriots - French and European - are being held are unworthy," he added. 

As part of efforts to raise pressure on Iran, France is preparing a complaint at the International Court of Justice against Iran for violating the right to consular protection.