North Korea's Two-Pronged Strategy: Opening Factories While Ramping Up Missile Production

One hand holds a shovel for economic development, the other holds a match to a geopolitical fuse. North Korea is closing out the year with a dual strategy: publicly celebrating the opening of new factories and hotels to project domestic stability, while simultaneously ordering an expansion of missile and shell production. This two-faced approach appears to be leader Kim Jong-un's gambit to shore up internal unity while flexing military muscle on the world stage.

The Domestic Push: A Ribbon-Cutting Spree

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Jong-un, accompanied by his daughter, attended back-to-back opening ceremonies for factories in the eastern coastal city of Sinpho and the western county of Jangyon. The state media reports highlight his push for regional development. Adding to this, five new hotels were inaugurated in the northern city of Samjiyon. Ahead of next year's key party congress, Pyongyang is keenly focused on showcasing economic achievements, even opening a new factory in Kilju county, home to a nuclear test site.

The Military Posture: New Missiles and Production Boosts

Behind the economic facade, military tensions are simmering. Kim oversaw the test-firing of new long-range anti-air missiles in the East Sea and visited major munitions factories, where he called for an expansion of missile and shell production capacity. He also issued a warning to South Korea, stating its plan to build nuclear-powered submarines would 'worsen instability.' The statement came as he inspected an 8,700-ton nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine currently under construction.

Diplomacy and Dynasty: Russia's Praise, Predecessor's Shadow

On the diplomatic front, ties with Russia continue to deepen. According to KCNA, President Vladimir Putin sent a New Year's message hailing the 'heroic' dispatch of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine. In contrast, state media was silent on the Dec. 24 birthday of his grandmother, Kim Jong-suk. This omission suggests a deliberate effort by Kim to build his authority independently of his predecessors.