North Korea says Kim Jong Un test drove a new tank, urged troops to complete "preparations for war"
Kim Jong Un participates in military exercises with new powerful tank, signaling shift in North Korea's approach towards South Korea.
- Bilawal Riaz
- 1 min read
North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, has been observed participating in military exercises involving a new tank model amidst ongoing annual military drills conducted by South Korea and the U.S. Kim’s recent visits with troops come across as a less provocative gesture compared to the missile tests North Korea has intensified since 2022. The tank praised by Kim during the drills is said to be the world’s most powerful and poses a potential threat to South Korea due to its missile launch capability. North Korea’s Defense Ministry has issued warnings of “responsible military activities” in response to the joint military exercises by South Korea and the U.S. Kim’s recent actions, including his vow to rewrite North Korea’s constitution, signal a shift in the country’s approach towards South Korea, indicating a departure from the previous calls for inter-Korean unity. Observers believe that Kim aims to leverage North Korea’s upgraded weapons arsenal to secure concessions from the U.S., potentially including the easing of sanctions on North Korea. The heightened military activities and aggressive rhetoric are expected to persist this year as South Korea gears up for parliamentary elections in April and the U.S. for its presidential election in November.