Seoul, South Korea - South Korea - State media said on Wednesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called on his ammunition industry to increase production of shells as the country continues to provide weapons and troops to support the Russian war against Ukraine.

North Korea's official Central News Agency said Kim praised the modernization work during his recent visit to an unspecified ammunition and machinery factory, which the agency claimed that it allowed the facility to double its annual shell production capacity.

King urged workers to further accelerate the production of shells, saying it was crucial to "strengthening combat efficiency of the armed forces" and called for the development of more advanced machinery to promote ammunition production. KCNA has not mentioned any comments about Kim's support for Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Recent South Korean intelligence assessments show that North Korea has sent about 15,000 soldiers to Russia, with nearly 5,000 killed or injured while fighting Ukrainian forces. Washington and Seoul also accused North Korea of ​​providing Russia with various types of military equipment, including artillery systems, shells and ballistic missiles.

After months of denying its war, North Korea confirmed last month that it sent combat troops for the first time to help Russia regain parts of the Kursk region, which was subjected to an unexpected invasion by Ukraine last year. Moscow also acknowledged North Korea's participation, and Putin issued a statement thanking the North for sending troops to support his troops and promising not to forget their sacrifices.

Analysts say North Korea's official recognition of military support for Russia is likely to be an advanced military technology designed to consolidate deeper, long-term partnership with Moscow and obtain greater compensation, including advanced military technology that could enhance the threat posed by Kim Jong Il's nuclear weapons.

According to a recent report by the Indive Tank, a South Korean intelligence agency, said that by formally placing its role as a war player, North Korea may also position to seek compensation in future negotiations to end the Ukraine conflict.

South Korea's National Intelligence Agency said in a closed briefing to lawmakers last month that it believes North Korea has sent about 15,000 workers to Russia under the bilateral industrial cooperation plan.

While North Korean artillery and missiles provided to Russia could be worth billions of dollars, there is no immediate indication that Russia has provided direct cash payments in return, the agency said. Instead, Russia may have made up for the spy satellite launch with air defense missiles, electronic warfare equipment, drones and technology.