SEOUL, South Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently participated in training exercises with newly developed battle tanks in preparation for potential conflicts, according to state media reports on Thursday.
The military training was conducted as a response to the annual South Korean-U.S. joint military drills, which the North sees as a rehearsal for invasion. The exercises on Wednesday aimed to assess the combat capabilities of the tank units, showcasing the use of a new main battle tank described by Kim as “the world’s most powerful.”
During the training session, heavy tanks navigated various simulated combat scenarios and fired rounds at targets. Kim himself climbed aboard one of the new tanks and personally operated it, boosting the morale of the tank crews, as reported by the official Korean Central News Agency.
North Korea’s Defense Ministry had previously stated its commitment to carrying out “responsible military activities” in response to the ongoing military exercises between South Korea and the U.S. Kim also oversaw artillery firing drills as part of the training activities.
The joint South Korean-U.S. drills involve a mix of computer-simulated command post exercises and field maneuvers, with the number of field exercises doubling from the previous year. North Korea has been intensifying its weapons testing since 2022 to enhance its nuclear and missile capabilities, prompting heightened training exercises by the U.S. and South Korea, including trilateral drills with Japan.
Experts suggest that Kim’s focus on expanding North Korea’s weapons arsenal may be aimed at securing concessions from the U.S., such as lifting international sanctions. With major elections scheduled in both the United States and South Korea, North Korea is expected to continue its testing activities and escalate its aggressive rhetoric throughout the year.