Start of South Korea-US Joint Military Exercises... North Korea's Kim Jong-un Embarks on 'Naval Inspection' (Comprehensive)

Kim Jong-un "Accelerates Development of Shipboard and Underwater Weapon Systems"
Also Releases Footage of Observing Strategic Cruise Missile Launch

Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, inspected the naval fleet and observed strategic weapon launch drills in response to the South Korea-U.S. joint exercise 'Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS)'.

On the 21st, the Korean Central News Agency reported that Chairman Kim inspected the Guard 2nd Surface Combat Squadron of the East Sea Fleet of the Korean People's Army Navy. This unit is honored with the title 'Ojungheup 7 Regiment,' and Navy Admiral Kim Myong Sik, Commander of the People's Army Navy, along with commanders of the East Sea Fleet and the Surface Combat Squadron, welcomed Kim Jong Un on site. The agency did not specify the date of the inspection but stated that "(Kim Jong Un) observed the strategic cruise missile launch drill conducted by the patrol ship marines."

Kim Jong-un Inspects ROK-US Joint Military Exercises and Observes Naval Inspection and Cruise Missile Launch [Image Source=Yonhap News]

The agency explained, "The launch drill was conducted with the purpose of reaffirming the ship's combat functions and the characteristics of the missile weapon system, and training the marines in attack mission execution movements in a real combat environment. The ship's routine mobilization readiness and attack capability were perfectly evaluated by swiftly hitting the target without a single error."

In the released photos, North Korea appears to have launched cruise missiles capable of anti-ship and land-attack from a new ship platform partially designed with low radar cross-section features to minimize detection.

Chairman Kim also boarded patrol ship No. 661, which was assigned to maritime boundary duty, to inspect the ship's armament status and combat readiness. The agency explained that at this occasion, he emphasized "the significant mission and duty of the Korean People's Army Navy in breaking the enemy's will to wage war in case of emergency, carrying out the strategic and tactical intentions of the Supreme Command, and defending the country's sovereignty and security."

Kim Jong-un Inspects ROK-US Joint Military Exercises, Observes Naval Inspection and Cruise Missile Launch [Image Source=Yonhap News]

Kim Jong Un further stressed, "By firmly grasping the naval force development line presented at the 8th Party Congress and accelerating the realization of naval armament modernization, including powerful shipbuilding and the development of shipborne and underwater weapon systems, we will achieve remarkable results in rapidly enhancing the navy's modernity and combat capability."

He also ordered, "All surface and underwater ship units of the navy must thoroughly maintain constant mobilization readiness and, with the perspective that training is also war preparation, ignite a fervor for strengthening combat training so that they can actively carry out assigned combat missions even in adverse environments, continuously improving their real combat capabilities."