North Korea’s Supreme Leader, Kim Jong Un, has ordered his armed forces to maintain full combat readiness “for real war”, state media reported Thursday.
He gave the directive during a dramatic artillery drill that featured live-fire rounds aimed at the sea. Kim watched closely through binoculars from a raised platform, surrounded by top military brass.
Soldiers in full gear manned the artillery units, firing round after round as footage aired by Korean Central Television (KCTV) captured the live display of power.
The event took place on Wednesday, though the exact location is unknown.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim told the troops to remain on high alert and keep their eyes set on battle readiness. He warned them to stay prepared to “annihilate the enemy in every battle.”
Kim’s fiery message appears part of a broader move to demonstrate North Korea’s growing military assertiveness in recent months.
North Korea’s Deeper Involvement in the Ukraine War
Tensions have escalated sharply over Pyongyang’s military links to the Kremlin. Intelligence sources from Seoul and Western allies say over 10,000 North Korean soldiers have joined Russian troops fighting in Ukraine’s Kursk region.
The support hasn’t come without losses. According to South Korean defense officials, at least 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed in combat. Thousands more have suffered injuries.
Kim Jong Un’s commitment to Russia’s war effort has remained firm. During a past meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Kim restated his support for Moscow, calling the partnership “a brotherly alliance against imperialist pressure.”
The two heavily sanctioned nations sealed a mutual defence agreement last year.
The pact was signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rare state visit to Pyongyang, further deepening military cooperation between the two countries.
New Warship Unveiled Amid Aggressive Posturing
In a related development, North Korea recently launched a new “multipurpose destroyer” in the port city of Nampo.
Photos released by KCNA showed the sleek grey warship stationed at the dock, an emblem of Kim’s continued push to modernize his military arsenal.
Though North Korea remains cut off from much of the world, it continues to defy global sanctions by enhancing its weapons capability and deepening foreign military ties.
Should the world be worried about Kim’s threats becoming reality? How dangerous is it that the Ukraine conflict is drawing in more global actors into its long and bloody war with a nuclear-armed Russia?Rate, Like 👍, Comment💬, share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
