Kim Jong-un "Shells hit as if eyes are attached... Truly a Pleasant Day" Supervises Artillery Training (Update 2)

"Artillery is a decisive factor in modern warfare" satisfaction
Military and security moves ahead of the Supreme People's Assembly session

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un supervised an artillery firing competition of the Western Front Combined Unit on the 20th of last month and instructed to strengthen the training of artillery units in accordance with the situation, reported the Korean Central News Agency on the 21st. Kim's appearance was revealed by Central TV on the 21st.

Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, guided mortar artillery unit firing training, according to the North Korean state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on the 10th.

The agency reported that "Comrade Kim Jong Un guided the mortar artillery unit firing training of the People's Army corps," adding, "The training was conducted with the purpose of understanding the performance status of light artillery and medium weapons equipped in the People's Army."

The exact date of the artillery firing training was not specified, but it is highly likely that it took place on the 9th. North Korean media usually report on training and events that occurred the previous day.

At the event, Chairman Kim said, "It is important to strengthen training to effectively utilize light artillery, including mortars, and medium weapons in operations and combat," and added, "The use of artillery forces in modern warfare is the most important factor determining the outcome of operations, combat, and even war."

He also stated, "We must continue to raise the slogan of prioritizing and strengthening artillery and accelerate preparations for artillery combat," presenting decisive tasks related to artillery training and modernization of artillery armaments, KCNA reported.

Chairman Kim expressed satisfaction with the training.

KCNA quoted him as saying, "Comrade Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction with the thorough preparation to skillfully respond to modern warfare, and said that this is the first time he has seen all the units firing their artillery so well in training like today."

Furthermore, "(Chairman Kim) organized the training unexpectedly, and looking at the results, he could not help but be amazed, saying it was as if the shells had eyes, hitting the targets precisely. Today is truly a joyful day," repeatedly expressing joy and pride.

KCNA added, "Comrade Kim Jong Un repeatedly praised the remarkable shooting skills of the mortar companies of all corps, including the 2nd Corps and the 10th Corps, which hit all 60 shells out of 60 precisely on target, and extended his gratitude from the observation post to the firepower positions."

Party Central Committee officials accompanied Chairman Kim on this field guidance. KCNA reported that General Political Bureau Director Kim Su Gil and Chief of the General Staff Pak Jong Chon greeted Chairman Kim.

The training was conducted ahead of the 3rd session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly scheduled to be held in Pyongyang on the 10th.

The Supreme People's Assembly, equivalent to South Korea's regular National Assembly, is the highest sovereign body under the North Korean constitution. It holds regular sessions around April each year to establish basic principles of national policy such as constitutional and legal amendments, appoint key state officials, and approve the budget.

Since North Korea declared an 'economic breakthrough' at the beginning of the year, and the economic difficulties have worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is expected that this session will first introduce economic measures to overcome these challenges.