North Korean arms factories have begun reorganizing production under Kim Jong Un’s new military strategy. These abrupt changes are disrupting previous production plans and increasing pressure on factory workers.
“To implement Kim Jong Un’s plans to boost national defense and expand arms production, the Munitions Industry Department ordered the Second Economic Committee in mid-March to revamp production lines at arms factories. Some factories have already received technical guidance about reorganization,” a source in North Korea told Daily NK recently.
While North Korea’s arms factories have traditionally focused on conventional weapons, the latest orders aim to shift production toward new weapons systems including drones, cruise missiles, tactical nuclear-capable missiles, and hypersonic missiles, the source said.
According to the source, Factory No. 26 in Jagang province and the Hung Nam Ki Machine Factory in South Hamgyong province are being reorganized to increase production of cruise missile components, including fuselages, engines, guidance systems, and warheads.
Production lines for advanced hypersonic missile parts are also being added to several plants in North Pyongan province: Factory No. 39 in Kusong, Factory No. 78 in Taegwan county, Factory No. 52 in Sakju county, and Factory No. 71 in Taechon county.
However, these restructuring efforts have hit some snags.
“Labor organizations and production plans are being adjusted as part of this sudden factory reorganization, causing temporary delays in the government’s original procurement timelines,” the source explained.
The ruling party’s Munitions Industry Department has increased oversight of factories undergoing upgrades. Officials are particularly focused on minimizing disruption to existing production schedules.
“Officials from the party’s Munitions Industry Department and the Second Economic Committee have been visiting factories personally, telling managers these orders come directly from the top. They’re emphasizing that reorganization is essential and must be achieved through the workforce’s ‘revolutionary zeal,’” the source said.
These visits by Central Committee officials appear designed to prevent internal resistance, reduce confusion, and motivate defense sector workers to meet production targets.
Factory managers responsible for implementing these production plans are extending work hours while framing the increased pace as an “expression of loyalty.”
“The song ‘Even in Death, Let’s Not Give Up Our Revolutionary Beliefs’ plays around the clock at work teams in arms factories. Workers who were already physically exhausted are now complaining about the mental burden too. Some say they’re more worried about losing their minds than their revolutionary beliefs,” the source added.
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