North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed a comprehensive tactical training exercise during a conference for military training personnel, emphasizing the need to modernize training systems to align with contemporary warfare and ensure full combat readiness.
Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party of Korea, reported on Wednesday that special operations units conducted tactical exercises on Tuesday and tank units engaged in competitive drills as part of a demonstration within the framework of the Korean People’s Army Training Cadre Conference.
The exercises occurred at the 60th Training Center of the People’s Army’s Capital Defense Corps. Key defense officials, including Defense Minister No Kwang Chol, Chief of General Staff Ri Yong Gil, and Director of the General Political Bureau Jong Kyong Thaek, accompanied Kim during the observation.
Kim stated that following the party’s introduction of five major training principles, he has focused on instilling a robust training culture across all Korean People’s Army levels. This includes enhancing training organization and evaluation processes and prioritizing practical exercises. He noted that these efforts have established scientific combat training systems throughout the military, significantly improving training effectiveness and unit combat capabilities.
Kim also highlighted that various training competitions and exercises are being conducted across multiple domains to prepare for actual combat scenarios. He described this fundamental shift in training approach as a potential catalyst for bolstering the military’s overall war-fighting capabilities.
Kim emphasized that the most critical front is the anti-imperialist class struggle, with war preparation being the most vital mission. He asserted that combat training to transform every army echelon into a thoroughly prepared and elite force remains the primary revolutionary task.
Specifically, Kim stressed the importance of vigorously advancing a revolutionary movement to surpass the standards of versatile units. This aligns with the party’s military strategic plan to transform special operations forces into multi-capable troops and specialists.
The North Korean leader also underscored the necessity of comprehensively equipping training facilities with modern warfare simulation capabilities. He called for incorporating advanced information systems and scientific evaluation methods into training regimens and reforming the overall training system to keep pace with 21st-century military developments.
According to the newspaper, Kim met with combat personnel from the 11th Army Corps who had exceeded the standards for versatile units and posed for commemorative photographs.
Reports suggest North Korea, having gained modern combat experience through troop deployments in Russia, is actively applying these lessons to its military training programs and working to master new tactics.