North Korean leader Kim Jong Un orders sharp increase in missile production

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in front of a military vehicle during a visit to a factory (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered a drastic increase in production of missiles and other weapons, state media said, days before South Korea and the US begin annual military drills that North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal.

Mr Kim’s push to produce more weapons also comes as US officials believe Russia’s defence minister recently talked with North Korea about selling more weapons to Russia for its war with Ukraine.