Kim “expressed satisfaction” with a factory’s “recent focus on tactical missile production” and “expanding production capacity” during his visits last week, it said.

He “presented a significant goal” to improve missile production, praised the latest operability of howitzer shells, and personally drove a combat armoured vehicle, KCNA said.

This is the latest in a string of visits by Kim to defence facilities, where he has emphasised mass production of weapons.

The US has accused North Korea of providing weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine. State department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said last month the US was “incredibly concerned” about their ties.

North Korea and Russia have denied conducting any arms transactions.

KCNA separately said on Monday that Kim visited “typhoon-hit areas” after tropical storm Khanun swept over the Korean peninsula last week, flooding farmlands.