North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivered a hardline speech at the inauguration ceremony for the first-stage modernization of the Ryongsong Machine Complex, portraying the upgrade as a milestone in strengthening the country’s self-reliant economic model and accelerating technological transformation across key industries.
Kim thanked factory workers, engineers, researchers, and construction teams involved in the project, describing the complex as a core pillar of North Korea’s machine-building sector. He said the modernization has significantly improved the plant’s technical capacity, which he framed as essential for boosting production potential across the wider economy and reinforcing national self-sufficiency.
While highlighting the factory upgrade as a major achievement, Kim said the project also exposed what he described as deep-rooted problems inside economic management bodies, including irresponsibility, poor planning, and “self-protectionism.” He claimed the modernization effort initially went off track due to mismanagement by senior Cabinet officials, resulting in confusion, delays, and economic losses. He said the Party intervened by bringing in specialists to review the plans, identifying major shortcomings in automation, integrated production systems, and technical specifications.
In the most striking moment of the speech, Kim publicly dismissed the vice-premier responsible for the machine-building industry, accusing him of lacking competence and accountability. He also criticized senior officials for shifting responsibility and failing to meet the standards required to implement state policy, calling for a renewed focus on discipline, professionalism, and scientific planning.
Kim argued that modernization cannot succeed without a transformation in the mindset and capabilities of senior officials, urging stronger ideological commitment alongside greater technical knowledge. He called for deeper study of global scientific and technological trends and said newly introduced training systems for officials must become a practical pathway to improving leadership performance.
Looking ahead, Kim said the Ryongsong project is intended to serve as a national model for modernizing the machine-building industry and enabling upgrades in other strategic sectors such as metallurgy, power generation, and mining. He urged accelerated implementation of future modernization projects and emphasized that preparing “faithful and qualified” officials is central to achieving the country’s long-term economic goals.
He concluded by calling for renewed determination to strengthen industrial self-sufficiency, praising the workforce and technical personnel who contributed to the project’s completion.
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