Kim Jong-Un continues to sharpen the North Korean military apparatus. During an artillery exercise to which he attended this Wednesday, July 23, the head of state called on his troops to prepare “To real war” and to be ready to “Destroy the enemy in each battle”according to the official agency KCNA. Dressed in a black suit, he appeared on the clichés broadcast by the state media, surrounded by senior military officials, carefully observing the fires in the direction of the sea. The precise place of the exercise was not revealed.
This demonstration of force comes in a context of reinforced military rapprochement between Pyongyang and Moscow since the signature in 2024 of a mutual defense agreement. In mid-July, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed unreserved support to Russia in his war against Ukraine, during a meeting with the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov.
The regime does not hesitate to send its own soldiers to the Russian front. In April, North Korean troops were engaged in the Koursk region, briefly controlled by kyiv before its reconquest by Russia in April, AFP recalls. In parallel, North Korea continues to provide ammunition and missiles to its ally.
A modernized army with forced march
Since the beginning of the year, Pyongyang has multiplied the tests of new armaments: explosive drones, long -range missiles, electronic jammers. Last month, Kim Jong-un supervised drone tests using artificial intelligence, intended to lead “Varied tactical attacks”according to KCNA. “The drone and AI sector must become an absolute priority”had then hammered the leader.
On the naval front, North Korea also announced on Tuesday the construction of a new destroyer of 5,000 tonnes, the third of its kind this year. This Choe Hyon class ship is presented as a “Powerful War Ship” intended to defend the “Sacred maritime interests” of the country. Nampaho’s shipyard has been set a goal: delivery by October 10, 2026, the anniversary of the Foundation of the Workers’ Party.
A highly symbolic deadline in the ideological agenda of the regime, but risky after the missed launch, in May, of a previous destroyer. The accident had been described as“Criminal act” By Kim Jong-Un himself, four people who were arrested for serious negligence.
This new demonstration of force revives the concern of neighboring countries, especially Japan, which continues its military rise, with the aim of aligning its defense expenses on NATO standards, about 2 % of GDP, and continues to get closer to the United States.
