North Korea showcased a new battle tank during training exercises amid the annual U.S.-South Korea Freedom Shield exercise.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un joined troops in training exercises on a new model tank, even taking the wheel, the state-owned Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Thursday.
"Watching with satisfaction the fierce advance of tanks dashing ahead like wind, Kim Jong Un said with pleasure that it was quite spectacular and the grandiose looks of tanks seemed to mirror the bravery and audacity peculiar to the KPA," KCNA said on Thursday.
Kim Jong Un Inspecting New Tanks
The military activities come as North Korea's leader oversaw artillery drills targeting "the enemy's capital" last week, amid the Freedom Shield exercises by Seoul and Washington aimed at bolstering defenses against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. The bilateral drills, which seek to enhance deterrence, concluded the same day as Kim's latest military inspection.
This marks the third instance during the 11-day South Korean-U.S. drills that Kim has been reported to oversee military activities, a stance considered less aggressive compared to the regime's intensified missile tests since 2022 and its escalating hostile rhetoric throughout the current year.
During Wednesday's tank drills, Kim lauded the latest tank as "the world's most powerful," urging his troops to heighten their combat readiness and finalize their "preparations for war," as per the KCNA.
Besides the tank exercises, Kim recently observed artillery firing and maneuvering drills.
The tank, initially revealed at a military parade in 2020, demonstrated its operational readiness on Wednesday, according to South Korean analysts, the Associated Press reported on Thursday.
KCNA released photos showing Kim driving the tank, with other battle tanks participating in the training, suggesting their readiness for deployment.
Kim Jong Un Inspecting New Tanks
The unveiling of the new tank during the October 2020 military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Workers' Party was followed by its upgraded version's appearance this week.
Kim emphasized the critical role of tanks in modern warfare, calling for rigorous drills that simulate real combat situations to ensure forces are "prompt and accurate in a contingency," KCNA reported.
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Aadil Brar is a reporter for Newsweek based in Taipei, Taiwan. He covers international security, U.S.-China relations, and East Asian ... Read more
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