North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a special operations training base under the direct control of the Korean People’s Army General Staff, where he inspected new sniper rifles and ordered an enhancement of the sniper capabilities.
The Workers’ Party of Korea’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Thursday that Comrade Kim visited the special operations training base on Wednesday to assess the training status of sniper and special operations units.
Kim expressed satisfaction with the new sniper rifle, which was uniquely designed and developed by the country’s Academy of National Defense Science. He praised its ergonomic design, improved tactical mobility for snipers, and superior long-range precision capabilities, stating that it’s a significant achievement for our units to possess such next-generation sniper weapons.
The North Korean leader emphasized the critical role of snipers in combat, describing them as specially selected soldiers capable of independent and proactive military actions, hunters who eliminate enemy troops with pinpoint accuracy on the battlefield. He declared that bolstering special operations forces and specialized sniper capabilities would be a key priority in strengthening the country’s military.
Kim announced plans for the Party Central Military Commission to review the establishment of a Central Sniper Training Center under the General Staff. He also directed the Defense Ministry to produce high-quality camouflage uniforms tailored to the operational environments and seasonal conditions of sniper units.
While it is known that People’s Army snipers have traditionally been under the command of special operations forces, Kim’s directive did not explicitly indicate whether this organizational structure would change.
Kim stressed that rigorously implementing the Party’s directives on training innovation, ideological revolution, and equipment modernization is crucial for war preparedness. He stated that its top priority is to fortify the special operations forces as the backbone of the military and to transform them into the most formidable combat units.
The leader emphasized the importance of modernizing military equipment while developing innovative tactics and combat methods. He noted that in today’s rapidly evolving battlefield environment, achieving unmatched superiority requires not only cutting-edge weaponry but also the continuous refinement of the unique combat strategies and rigorous training of its personnel.
During his visit, Kim observed live-fire exercises conducted by sniper units and special physical training by special operations forces. He took group photos with the participants and individual photographs with three snipers who demonstrated exceptional long-range precision shooting skills.
The inspection was attended by senior party officials, including party secretary Jo Chun-ryong and first vice-chairman Kim Jong-sik. Defense Minister No Kwang-chol and Chief of General Staff Ri Yong-gil were present to receive the delegation.
This visit follows Kim’s previous inspection of the special operations training base on April 4, during which he observed a sniper shooting competition and supervised training exercises for both automatic rifles and sniper rifles.
