North Korea Conducts Artillery Drills Amid Escalating Tensions

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised artillery firing drills aimed at enhancing combat readiness, following the country’s vow to take military action against ongoing South Korean-U.S. military training perceived as an invasion rehearsal. The drills involved frontline artillery units capable of striking Seoul, placing the South Korean capital at risk.

Kim emphasized the need for swift and merciless strikes in the event of an actual war. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff detected North Korean artillery firing into waters off its west coast, prompting a stern response from Seoul. The proximity of North Korea’s long-range artillery to Seoul underscores the serious security threat it poses to the densely populated city.

North Korea’s Defence Ministry previously announced plans for “responsible military activities” in response to the annual South Korea-U.S. military drills. The escalation in tensions highlights the volatile situation on the Korean peninsula, with both sides engaging in military exercises amid heightened rhetoric.