"Showing Off Combat Power Naked... Bizarre" Foreign Media Also Interested in North Korean Soldiers' 'Charyeok Show'

Foreign Media Spotlight Including UK Telegraph and BBC
Focus on New Weapons Such as Ballistic Missiles and Hypersonic Missiles

Martial arts demonstration performed by the North Korean military during the opening ceremony of the North Korean Defense Development Exhibition 'Jawi-2021' / Photo by 'Seukai' News YouTube video capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Major foreign media focused their attention on the opening ceremony of North Korea's defense development exhibition 'Jawi-2021' held on the 11th. Especially, the North Korean military's 'Charyeok Show' performed before the event drew evaluations such as "bizarre" and "intense spectacle."

The British media 'The Telegraph' highlighted the special forces martial arts performance attended by North Korean leaders including Chairman Kim Jong-un and Deputy Director Kim Yo-jong of the Workers' Party before the event.

According to the video released by North Korea, soldiers performed various martial arts shirtless in front of the Pyongyang Three Great Revolutions Exhibition Hall. They struck their comrades with wooden sticks and broke concrete slabs placed on a soldier's stomach with a hammer. They also demonstrated martial arts like the so-called 'Charyeok Show,' where they lay on supports densely embedded with nails and other sharp objects.

The Telegraph described it as "a bizarre video of naked soldiers performing acrobatics in front of a delighted Kim Jong-un."

Regarding Chairman Kim's reaction to the martial arts demonstration, it was noted that "at times he showed an excited expression or appeared tense, gripping the armrest of his chair." His younger sister, Deputy Director Kim, reportedly smiled slightly but showed little change in expression.

The British public broadcaster 'BBC' reported, "North Korean soldiers showcased their combat power by breaking various objects with their bare hands."

They also added, "It goes without saying, but do not try these stunts at home."

Martin Williams of the North Korea-focused analysis outlet '38 North' described it as "slightly intense." / Photo by Martin Williams, Twitter capture

Martin Williams, a specialist journalist from the North Korea-focused analysis outlet '38North,' shared his impressions on his Twitter account on the 13th (local time). He described the martial arts video as "a bit intense" and said, "This video was broadcast on North Korean TV today."

Foreign media also paid attention to North Korea's new weapons unveiled at the event.

The Telegraph explained, "This video offers a slight relief from the heightened tensions caused by North Korea's recent military equipment reveals over the past few weeks," adding, "The exhibition showcased the Hwasong-8, reported to be a 'hypersonic weapon.'"

Meanwhile, North Korea's 'Jawi-2021' event was held to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea. According to local media including the North Korean party organ 'Rodong Sinmun' on the 13th, the event featured the unveiling of numerous new weapons such as submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), and hypersonic cruise missiles.

North Korea has been escalating military tensions by conducting successive test launches of ballistic and cruise missiles last month.