DPRK leader drives new tank during mock battle
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The purpose of the mock battle was to evaluate the combat abilities of tank crews and acquaint them with combat operations across various tactical missions.
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DPRK leader Kim Jong Un is seen inside a tank during mock battles, guiding the tankmen's training match on March 13, 2024. (KCNA)
Kim Jong Un, the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), oversaw a military demonstration on Thursday showcasing a new battle tank, according to state media KCNA.
The leader expressed "great satisfaction" with the successful demonstration of the new main battle tank's striking power during its debut performance on Wednesday, according to KCNA.
The purpose of the mock battle was to evaluate the combat abilities of tank crews and acquaint them with combat operations across various tactical missions, as stated. "Swiftly weaving their way through various worst combat circumstances, heavy tanks hit targets at once with powerful strikes and broke through strong defense lines with high maneuverability," the report said.
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The 105th Tank Division, which was declared the winner of the mock battle, was the unit that occupied the South Korean capital Seoul during the Korean War, KCNA said.
At the event, Kim was accompanied by senior officials, including Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam.
In a photograph released by KCNA, Kim could be observed with his head protruding from a tank, with state media reporting that he operated the vehicle. Meanwhile, other photographs showed Kim wearing a leather jacket, surrounded by troops, and showcased tanks bearing the DPRK flag while firing ammunition on a field.
'Freedom Shield' joint drills
The mock battle comes after South Korea and the United States concluded joint drills. Earlier this month, the DPRK warned against "provocative large-scale joint military exercises," saying that the unprecedented drills would "amplify the unpredictability of the situation" in the Korean Peninsula, according to the KCNA.
A spokesperson for the DPRK's Ministry of National Defense lambasted the joint exercise between Washington and Seoul, dubbed "Freedom Shield", which includes double the number of troops participating in the drill compared to last year.
In particular, the official pointed to the mobilization of "the armed forces of 11 subordinate countries belonging" to the United Nations Command, stressing that the force has "no justification for its existence."
In response, the DPRK has warned against "provocative large-scale joint military exercises," saying that the unprecedented drills would "amplify the unpredictability of the situation" in the Korean Peninsula, according to the KCNA.
