North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has visited a training base for the Korean People’s Army’s special operations units, where he observed tactical drills and shooting exercises. The visit underscores the regime’s focus on strengthening elite military capabilities to confront perceived external threats.
During the inspection, Kim personally tested a new sniper rifle and emphasized the urgent need to modernize combat tools and operational strategies. He instructed commanders to enhance the units’ readiness and effectiveness, signaling a continued push for military innovation.
This move comes amid reports that Pyongyang has deployed special operations personnel to assist Russian forces in Ukraine. Though initially denied, both Russian and North Korean sources later confirmed limited involvement. Ukrainian officials claim these units have suffered considerable losses, raising questions about North Korea’s motivations and long-term goals.
Kim’s repeated inspections of key military installations reflect a broader ambition to present North Korea as a sovereign power capable of standing against what it perceives as Western imperialism and global capitalist dominance. Rather than relying on external alliances, Pyongyang appears determined to cultivate a self-reliant, ideologically disciplined military force prepared for confrontation on multiple fronts.