Pyongyang: Kim Jong Un, the esteemed leader of North Korea, made a significant visit to a major military operations base in the western region of the country on Wednesday. According to a report by the state-run KCNA news agency on Thursday, during this visit, the supreme leader issued directives for heightened readiness, signaling a potential war stance.
US-South Korea Drills
In a report by Reuters, it was noted that Kim’s visit coincided with the commencement of the annual joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea, a development that has consistently provoked tensions in North Korea.
This year’s drills involve twice the number of troops compared to the previous year, adding to the already heightened atmosphere in the region.
During his inspection, Kim stressed the imperative for the military to maintain a state of readiness for any eventualities. He articulated that the army must “dynamically usher in a new heyday of intensifying the war preparations in line with the requirements of the prevailing situation.”
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Directives from Kim Jong Un
Addressing the troops, Kim emphasized the necessity for the army to enhance its combat capabilities swiftly. He was quoted by KCNA stating, “Our army should … steadily intensify the actual war drills aimed at rapidly improving its combat capabilities for perfect war preparedness.”
During his time at the undisclosed location, Kim observed troops engaged in live manoeuvres, simulating conditions akin to actual warfare. However, the report did not specify whether Kim explicitly referenced the ongoing US-South Korea drills during his address.
