North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inspected an "important" tank factory and touted "great progress in the core technology of Korean-style tanks," state media KCNA said on Sunday. He said producing cutting-edge tanks and armoured vehicles is key to modernizing the army and reaching the ruling party's plan for "the second revolution in armoured force.

In recent weeks, North Korea's leader has overseen the launch of a new naval destroyer and observed tests of new drone systems.