North Korea’s Kim supervises drills, urges full preparations for war
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has personally supervised a series of large-scale military drills, calling on his armed forces to be in full combat readiness, state media reported on Tuesday. The exercises come amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and renewed concerns over Pyongyang’s military ambitions.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the drills focused on enhancing the operational readiness and offensive capabilities of the country’s military units. Kim was seen reviewing tactical maneuvers and directing simulated attacks aimed at “enemy strongholds.”
During the exercises, Kim emphasized the importance of being fully prepared for war, citing what he described as “provocations” and “military threats” from hostile forces. He reiterated North Korea’s policy of responding with overwhelming force if its sovereignty is threatened.
The report added that various branches of the Korean People’s Army participated in the drills, which included artillery strikes, mechanized troop deployments, and live-fire exercises.
Military analysts believe these exercises are designed to send a strong message to both South Korea and the United States, particularly amid growing trilateral cooperation between Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo.
Kim reportedly stressed that readiness for actual combat is no longer optional but a “strategic necessity” given the current regional security environment.
This latest development follows North Korea’s recent missile launches and its declaration to expand its nuclear arsenal in response to what it calls foreign aggression.
South Korean defense officials have condemned the drills, calling them “destabilizing” and urging Pyongyang to return to diplomatic talks.
The U.S. State Department also issued a statement urging North Korea to cease its provocative behavior and engage in meaningful dialogue for peace and denuclearization.
Kim’s direct involvement in the exercises underscores his regime’s focus on military strength as a core strategy for regime survival and bargaining leverage on the world stage.
Observers note that the timing of the drills, just ahead of joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises, is a clear sign of strategic messaging.
As tensions continue to simmer in the region, global leaders are closely watching North Korea’s moves, with concerns mounting over potential escalation.
