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An official at the plant in northern Yanggang province, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said key personnel at the plant were unaware of the final destination of the shells. However, the official noted that the urgent adjustments to the production process coincided with Kim Jong Un's visit to Russia, suggesting that the shells may be intended to support Russia.
South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won Sik confirmed in an interview with the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri News on July 24 that the arms trade between North Korea and Russia began in earnest after Kim Jong Un's visit to Russia last September. Shin also said that as of July 15, containers transported from North Korea to Russia included 5,2 million 152mm artillery shells and dozens of short-range ballistic missiles. However, some Russian Telegram channels have criticized the quality of North Korean ammunition, noting that the poor quality affects the range as well as the quality and quantity of gunpowder used.
North Korea's munitions exports would violate international sanctions aimed at preventing Pyongyang from diverting resources to its nuclear and missile programs. Despite this, the Ministry of Defense of South Korea believes that these actions have already begun.
After Kim's trip, several North Korean factories that normally produced other types of munitions were converted to produce 152mm artillery shells. A second official from Ryanggang said that a forestry equipment factory in Wangdok, Komsan-dong, Hyesan City has been producing these shells since the beginning of the year. The plant's target is to produce 6000 shells per month, but this target has not yet been achieved due to irregular supply of raw materials.
The conversion of the production process at the forestry machinery plant took place quickly: a new line for the production of 152 mm shells was installed in the basement, which was previously used for the production of mortar shells. This transformation was completed in less than two months, and a successful test production took place at the end of December last year.
Although the factory shares the same power grid as the city of Samjieong, which experiences frequent power outages, it continues to receive a stable power supply. However, the plant is struggling to meet production plans due to erratic supplies of raw materials, reportedly from China. The method of obtaining these materials, including special alloys necessary for the manufacture of projectiles, remains unknown.
The first official also confirmed that another plant in Yanggang province had converted its equipment to produce 152mm artillery shells. In addition to the Hyesan Forestry Machinery Branch Factory, since the beginning of the year these shells have been produced by Factory 915. The artillery shells produced in Ryangang are then sent to the Agricultural Machinery Factory in North Hamgyeon Province for final assembly.
