North Korea conducted an artillery firing exercise

North Korea conducted an artillery firing exercise with the participation of front-line units capable of hitting the “enemy’s capital”. The country’s leader Kim Jong-un, who personally directed the exercise, instructed to continue the necessary preparations to take the initiative with “ruthless and swift” attacks in case of actual combat.
North Korea’s retaliation came in response to the joint Freedom Shield Exercise initiated by the US and South Korea earlier this week. According to reports in the official North Korean media, a large-scale artillery firing exercise was conducted with the participation of front-line units capable of hitting the “enemy’s capital”. It was noted that the exercise, personally directed by the country’s leader Kim Jong-un, aimed to test the firing capability of the artillery units and enhance readiness for war. Kim Jong-un expressed his satisfaction with the exercise and personally congratulated the soldiers in the artillery units. It was reported that Kim instructed all artillery units to continue the necessary preparations to take the initiative with “ruthless and swift” attacks in case of actual combat.

Seen as a warning
The timing of Pyongyang’s exercise, immediately following the 11-day joint Freedom Shield Exercise initiated by the US and South Korea in the region on Monday to enhance their defense capabilities, was interpreted as a “warning” to the Washington-Seoul alliance.