Kim Jong Un supervises new tank trials amid tensions with Seoul and Washington
14 March 2024 11:56
Kim Jong Un, North Korea's leader, took command of one of the tanks during these military exercises, which featured a new combat tank. According to the state broadcaster KCNA, Kim Jong Un expressed "great satisfaction" with the striking power of the new combat vehicle.
The primary purpose of these exercises was to assess the tank crews' combat capabilities. Moreover, it aimed at acquainting them with a variety of combat actions that might be required across different tactical missions, as reported by the broadcaster. The simulated battle was won by the 105th armored division, notable for having captured Seoul, the capital of South Korea, during the Korean War.
The timing is not coincidental: a message for Seoul and Washington
The military manoeuvres were strategically scheduled to coincide with the end of joint exercises between South Korea and the United States. These were the first exercises conducted since Pyongyang rescinded the inter-Korean military agreement, which sought to reduce tensions on the divided peninsula. North Korea views these exercises as preparations for an aggressive war, while Seoul maintains they are strictly defensive, as reminded by the Reuters agency.
Last week, Kim Jong Un advocated for an increase in North Korea's capacity to wage war against the United States and South Korea. Furthermore, the North Korean Ministry of Defence announced a "response" to the military activities of these two countries.
Source: PAP
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