North Korea conducted an artillery firing drill ahead of the South Korea-U.S. joint exercise 'Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS)'.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on August 12, North Korea held a firing drill competition the previous day involving artillery units under the major combined units of the Korean People's Army. The agency reported that the drill was conducted "in accordance with the General Staff's combat training plan to fully prepare the entire army's warfighting capabilities and combat readiness."
The agency further explained the purpose of the drill, stating, "It was to rigorously inspect and evaluate the proficiency of tactical artillery units in fire support combat operations, and to generalize the exemplary performance of outstanding units throughout the entire army."
The agency also emphasized, "The high combat capability and constant mobilization readiness of tactical artillery units, which have reached a process of continuously enhancing the efficiency and operability of artillery weapon systems in line with the trends and developments of modern warfare, were fully verified. This served as an opportunity to demonstrate our military's firm determination to thoroughly deter military gangsters beyond our borders with overwhelming combat power and to reliably safeguard the sacred security and sovereignty of our nation."
This drill was observed by Park Jong-chon, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party and Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and accompanied by Ri Yong-gil, Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army. Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, did not attend.
Meanwhile, the previous day, North Korea issued a statement in the name of Defense Minister No Kwang-chol regarding UFS, warning that "any provocative act crossing the line will be met with the strict exercise of our sovereign rights in self-defense."
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