North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un personally oversaw a large-scale artillery firing exercise conducted by Korean People’s Army (KPA) sub-units in the country’s western region on 15 April, coinciding with the Day of the Sun — the most significant national holiday in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, marking the birth anniversary of founding leader Kim Il-sung.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), participating units operated under simulated combat conditions and were assessed on their combat readiness and marksmanship. The Capital City Defence Corps distinguished itself by claiming first place in the exercise, with KCNA reporting that troops across the board “powerfully demonstrated their militant marksmanship” and “full war posture.”
Kim Jong-un expressed clear satisfaction with the results of the drill, characterising the event as “an important occasion in enhancing the training enthusiasm” of KPA forces and in consolidating the nation’s overall combat readiness. His attendance underscored the political and strategic weight attached to the exercise.
In remarks delivered to assembled commanders and troops, Kim stressed that artillery forces constitute “the most important factor deciding the victory in operation and battle and furthermore in war.” He issued a direct call for the continued modernisation of artillery capabilities and the intensification of training programmes in strict accordance with the Korean Workers’ Party’s military policy.
The exercise reflects Pyongyang’s sustained emphasis on conventional military preparedness alongside its broader strategic deterrence posture. Conducting a high-profile live-fire drill on the Day of the Sun carries both symbolic and operational significance, signalling the leadership’s commitment to maintaining a battle-ready force capable of responding to any contingency on the Korean Peninsula.
Find more details at Sputnik International.