North Korean leader tours weapons factories and vows to boost war readiness

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/AP)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un toured the country’s key weapons factories, including those producing artillery systems and launch vehicles for nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, and pledged to speed up efforts to advance his military’s arms and war readiness, state media said.

Mr Kim’s three days of inspections came as the United States and South Korea prepared for their next round of combined military exercises planned for later this month to cope with the growing North Korean threat.