Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has urged the military to enhance its combat capabilities through rigorous training, focusing on the ability to swiftly respond to conflict and effectively defeat the enemy in every engagement, state media reported.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim made these remarks while observing an artillery firing contest involving subunits of the Korean People's Army (KPA). The event, attended by senior party and defense officials, took place the previous day and was reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The training exercise was designed to improve artillery firing skills, with units tasked with striking a maritime target within a specified timeframe. Following the contest, Kim expressed his satisfaction and called for further development of the military's artillery tactics to adapt to the challenging and rapidly changing modern battlefield, as reported by KCNA.
Kim emphasized the need for the military to intensify training in preparation for real combat scenarios and highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong war deterrent. He underscored that a clear understanding of the main adversary is crucial for military preparedness.
The event was attended by notable officials, including Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the ruling party's Central Military Commission; Defense Minister No Kwang-chol; and Ri Yong-gil, chief of the General Staff of the KPA.
In February, during a visit to the defense ministry, Kim declared 2025 as the year of military training. Since then, he has been actively involved in overseeing various military activities, emphasizing the importance of intensive training and acquiring modern warfare capabilities. A similar artillery firing contest was conducted under his supervision in late May.