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Kim Jong Un hails North Korea munitions factory for latest development

The North Korean leader said the plant that supplies Pyongyang's military had solved a problem of the highest concern.

By Elizabeth Shim
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting a munitions plant in Sinuiju, North Korea, on Thursday. Kim said the researchers at the plant had solved a problem of the highest concern ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party. Photo by Rodong Sinmun/Yonhap
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting a munitions plant in Sinuiju, North Korea, on Thursday. Kim said the researchers at the plant had solved a problem of the highest concern ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party. Photo by Rodong Sinmun/Yonhap

SEOUL, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Kim Jong Un inspected a munitions factory in a city near the China border and praised North Korean researchers for "solving a problem of the highest concern," on the same day China held its Victory Day parade in Beijing.

The North Korean leader inspected the plant in Sinuiju during a visit in which he "provided field guidance at a measuring instruments factory," according to state media outlet KCNA on Friday.

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North Korea's state newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported Kim expressed his satisfaction with the site's latest results.

"I was really happy after receiving the factory's research and development report, and to hear that world-class, state-of-the-art instruments were produced...I wanted to meet with the developers directly," Kim said.

North Korea media stated the factory made "modern measuring instruments" to be used in defense and other sectors. "The factory has developed more instruments that could be delivered to the People's Army," Pyongyang said in statement.

Kim also heaped lavish praise on the plant and said the "Sinuiju factory has solved a problem of the highest concern, and has given a wonderful gift in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Korean Workers' Party."

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South Korean news agency Yonhap reported North Korea did not specify what the new development was in its reports, but it is highly likely connected to North Korea's military. Key members of North Korea's National Defense Commission, including Kim Chun Sop, Jo Chun Ryong and Workers' Party Vice Chief Jo Yong Won accompanied Kim in his second inspection since tensions subsided on the Korean peninsula after Aug. 25.

While the threat of war has subsided, verbal attacks have restarted between Seoul and Pyongyang. On Friday, South Korea's Unification Ministry said that the government "expresses regret" over Pyongyang's remarks on Thursday regarding President Park Geun-hye, The Korea Herald reported.

"North Korea should stop such acts, and come forward to cooperate with us to develop inter-Korea relations by conscientiously executing the agreement," ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee said.

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