Kim Myongsung’s Inside North Korea

· Kim Jong-un Test Fires Sniper Rifle and Multiple Rocket Launcher During Four-Day ·  Military Inspection

· Kim Ki-nam, North Korea's Joseph Goebbels, Dies; Kim Jong-un Pays Tribute at Funeral

· North Korea Moves to Control Jangmadang: Bans on Sale of Seafood Following Food

Kim Myungsung

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has intensively inspected the military sector over the past three days, starting from the 10th, promoting the sales of new weapons.

On the 10th, Kim Jong-un was briefed by military officials about the new 240mm multiple rocket launcher. / Rodong Sinmun

According to Rodong Sinmun on the 13th, Kim Jong-un visited key defense industry enterprises under the Second Economic Committee on the 11th and 12th. During his inspection, he assessed the production status of advanced precision military goods, major sniper weapons, and the updated 240mm multiple rocket launcher.

As reported by the Korean Central News Agency on the 11th, Kim Jong-un observed the updated 240mm multiple rocket launcher weapon system and witnessed the test firing of the guided projectiles on the 10th. North Korean media announced that the new guided 240mm multiple rocket launcher would be deployed to the military starting this year. The 240mm multiple rocket launcher has Seoul and the metropolitan area within its range.

Kim stated, "An automatic firing command system has been introduced," and added that it will replace equipment in the Korean People's Army units from 2024 to 2026. He also drove the multiple rocket launcher vehicle himself.

A photo released by the Korean Central News Agency shows the multiple rocket launcher being fired from a Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) without anyone on board. However, cables connecting the vehicle to the outside were identified, suggesting that full automation has not yet been achieved. North Korea claims that eight multiple rocket launchers were fired, all hitting their targets.

While the range of the existing 240mm multiple rocket launcher was estimated at 40-60 km, the range of the new 240mm multiple rocket launcher could extend up to 100 km. This means it could directly strike Seoul and the metropolitan area.

On the 10th, Kim Jong-un personally drove the new 240mm multiple rocket launcher vehicle. / Rodong Sinmun

North Korean media released photos on the 13th showing Kim Jong-un visiting a military factory and demonstrating firing a new sniper rifle. / Rodong Sinmun

Some observers point out that North Korea's actions, such as supplying obsolete multiple rocket launchers to Russia and deploying new ones to its military, indicate a move toward modernizing its conventional forces.

The National Intelligence Service found evidence that North Korea supplied weapons, including 122mm multiple rocket launchers from the 1970s, to Russia. "We continue to monitor all aspects of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea," the agency stated.

It has also been suggested that North Korea conducted test firings to export conventional weapons to friendly nations such as Russia and Iran.

Kim Ki-nam, North Korea's Joseph Goebbels, Dies; Kim Jong-un Pays Tribute at Funeral

On the 9th, Kim Jong-un was seen at the grave of Kim Ki-nam, the Propaganda Minister of the ruling party, during his funeral. 

/ Rodong Sinmun

The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 10th that Kim Jong-un attended the wake and funeral of Kim Ki-nam, the Propaganda Minister of the ruling party, who died on the 7th, and accompanied the burial procession.

Kim Ki-nam, who died at 94, had led the regime's propaganda efforts across three generations—Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Kim Jong-un—earning him the nickname "North Korea's Paul Joseph Goebbels."

Kim Jong-un reportedly attended the funeral at Pyongyang's Sojang Hall and expressed deep sorrow over the loss. He served as the chairman of the state funeral committee, overseeing the proceedings, and personally scattered dirt on the coffin at the Patriotic Martyrs' Cemetery in Sinmi-ri.

The funeral procession of Kim Ki-nam, referred to as North Korea's Paul Joseph Goebbels, passing through Pyongyang on the 9th. / Korean Central News Agency

Kim Jong-un praised Kim Ki-nam's contributions, stating, "Thanks to elder statesmen like Kim Ki-nam and their support, our state was able to continuously advance the Juche revolution despite the storms of history."

Starting as Deputy Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department of the WPK in the 1960s, Kim Ki-nam rose to Chief Propagandist, leading the idolization of the Kim family and justifying the hereditary succession, earning him the nickname "North Korea's Paul Joseph Goebbels."

He visited Seoul in 2005 as the head of the North Korean delegation for the August 15th Grand National Festival, paying respects at the Seoul National Cemetery with 31 members. He also led the North Korean special envoy delegation to Seoul for former President Kim Dae-jung's funeral in August 2009.

He maintained a close relationship with the Kim family, evidenced by a photo of him visiting Wonsan Agricultural College with Kim Jong-un, his older brother Kim Jong-chol, and younger sister Kim Yo-jong. The photo was later removed from North Korean media.

North Korea Moves to Control Jangmadang: Bans on Sale of Seafood Following Food

It has been reported that North Korean authorities are now controlling the sale of seafood in Jangmadang following the ban on food sales. They are also streamlining trade companies affiliated with various special agencies to reduce capitalist commercial elements and expand activities in the socialist state commercial sector.

In November 2014, Kim Jong-un inspected  Fishery Station No.18 under the Korean People's Army (KPA) Unit 567 / Rodong Sinmun

According to a source in Hyesan City, Ryanggang Province, an order to ban the sale of seafood in Jangmadang was issued and implemented at the end of April. 

Seafood sales to individual merchants at production sites have been banned, with supplies being directed exclusively to state commercial networks. Additionally, the sale of rice in Jangmadang has been banned in some areas of North Korea, including North Hamgyong Province and Ryanggang Province, to control rice supply and manage prices.

This is the first time North Korea has banned the sale of seafood, aiming to weaken Jangmadang's capitalist elements and boost the state distribution network. At the 2021 8th Congress of the Workers' Party, developing a socialist commercial network was prioritized, likely to address financial difficulties by utilizing a network that can recoup funds anytime.

Additionally, it has been pointed out that the reason North Korea banned the distribution of seafood in Jangmadang is to completely prevent residents from defecting by sea. 

A source from North Korea reported that after COVID-19, maritime defections by North Korean residents using fishing boats have increased, especially among those familiar with the sea from working on vessels linked to special agencies. The source stated, "Only boats with the national fishing plan can sail under armed supervision, thus preventing defections." If the government bans these vessels, it could also halt seafood distribution in the market. As a result, seafood distributors have reportedly switched to other businesses to sustain their livelihoods.