Pyongyang: North Korea has conducted artillery firing drills to bolster its combat readiness posture, the North's state media reported Tuesday, as South Korea and the United States prepare to kick off their joint military exercise next week.
According to Yonhap News Agency, tactical artillery subunits of the North's military conducted a "firing practice contest" Monday in accordance with a combat drill plan from the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). This action by North Korea comes a week before Seoul and Washington are scheduled to start their annual summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, set for August 18-28.
North Korea stated that the firing contest aimed to "perfect the capability to fight a war and battle readiness of the entire army." The drills demonstrated the army's intention to contain military forces near the border and defend security, as elaborated by the KCNA in an English-language statement.
The exercise was overseen by Pak Jong-chon, the vice chairman of the ruling party's Central Military Commission. Notably, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un did not attend the event. Historically, North Korea has criticized joint military exercises between South Korea and the U.S., labeling them as rehearsals for invasion, while the allies maintain that the drills are defensive.
North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol warned Monday that Pyongyang would take "self-defense" measures in response to any provocation, criticizing the planned large-scale military exercise by Seoul and Washington.