{
  "id": 8350484,
  "title": "NK leader calls for 'most concentrated and destructive' artillery capability",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/nk-leader-calls-for-most-concentrated-and-destructive-artillery",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T01:32:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffairs/northkorea/20260919/nk-leader-calls-for-most-concentrated-and-destructive-artillery-capability"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "North Korean leader Kim Jong-un emphasized the need for his country's artillery forces to possess the most concentrated and destructive capabilities during a recent visit to major munitions factories. Accompanied by senior officials, including Pak Jong-chon, Kim inspected various munitions enterprises from Wednesday to Friday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).\n\nKim stressed that the artillery should have a massive and versatile offensive capability, capable of responsibly performing the dual missions of deterring and engaging in war. The KCNA quoted him as stating, \"Our artillery should have the most concentrated and destructive, massive and versatile offensive capability and responsibly perform the two missions of deterring and fighting war.\"\n\nThe North Korean leader urged the munitions industry to play a more significant role in executing the strategic policy of the ruling Workers' Party, which aims to build the most powerful army. Kim outlined several policy tasks, such as enhancing the level of artificial intelligence in offensive and defensive weapons, upgrading the armor and automation of artillery weapons, and improving production conditions.",
  "summary": "North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for his country's artillery forces to have the \"most concentrated and destructive\" capabilities as he visited major munitions factories earlier this week, state media reported Saturday. Kim inspected munitions enterprises from Wednesday to Friday, accompanied by senior officials, including Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of…",
  "key_points": [
    "Kim Jong-un visited munitions factories in North Korea.",
    "Emphasized need for most concentrated and destructive artillery.",
    "Stressed artillery's dual missions of deterrence and war."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Kim Jong-un's call for upgraded artillery capabilities signals a further prioritization of military strength in North Korea's strategic policy, with the munitions industry set to play a more significant role.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "N.K. leader calls for 'most concentrated and destructive' artillery capability",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/n-k-leader-calls-for-most-concentrated-and-destructive-artillery",
        "published": "2026-09-19T01:10:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "NK leader calls for 'most concentrated and destructive' artillery capability",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/nk-leader-calls-for-most-concentrated-and-destructive-artillery-8352580",
        "published": "2026-09-19T01:42:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}