 North Korea increases domestic production of weapons for exporting to Russia. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to enterprises in the country's military-industrial complex probably served several purposes, not least of which was to demonstrate Pyongyang's readiness to export weapons. South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman Koo Byung-sam said, It seems that the North Korea had several motives, demonstrating defence achievements, responding to joint exercises between North Korea and the US, and even exporting weapons. The Yonhap news agency quoted the official as saying, Last week, the North Korean leader inspected the work of factories producing large-caliber shells for heavy artillery and rockets, small arms and engines, for cruise missiles and drones. The Yonhap news agency pointed out that South Korea and the US plan to hold the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise in August. South Korean authorities highlighted the term defence economic work used in a Korean central news agency report on the leader's visit to the facilities. The use of this term seems unprecedented. If it means arms exports, it is unfortunate because the North Korea has publicly indicated that it intends to violate UN Security Council resolutions, Koo Byung-sam said. According to Yonhap, the release of information on inspections of military plants following Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoygu's visit to North Korea and his attendance at an arms exhibition points to the possibility of arms shipments to Russia.