North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has issued a chilling call for troops to prepare for “real war”, demanding intensified military training across the Korean People’s Army.
Amid mounting tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Kim oversaw a live-fire artillery contest on Wednesday and used the occasion to double down on his push for battlefield readiness. According to state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim urged the army to develop more advanced artillery tactics and brace for the “harsh and acute” conditions of modern warfare.
“We must be capable of immediately coping with war at any time, and destroying the enemy in every battle,” he declared.
The contest, involving artillery subunits from across the military, is part of a broader campaign by the regime to sharpen combat readiness and modernise its approach to warfare.
2025 Declared North Korea’s ‘Year of Military Training’
Back in February, during a visit to the Ministry of Defence, Kim formally designated 2025 as the year of military training, a move interpreted by regional analysts as a sign of growing aggression.
Since then, the regime has ramped up high-profile military exercises, with Kim frequently appearing at artillery contests and training demonstrations. His message has remained consistent: the Korean People’s Army must be ready to strike, and see its enemies, particularly South Korea and the United States, with absolute clarity.
“The most powerful war deterrent is the clearest outlook on the arch enemy,” Kim said, according to KCNA.
In late May, Kim attended a similar artillery firing contest, underscoring his hands-on approach to overseeing North Korea’s growing military capabilities.
Tensions Remain High in the Region
Kim’s rhetoric comes amid rising instability in the region, with both North and South Korea conducting increasingly aggressive military drills. Analysts warn that North Korea’s push for realistic, high-intensity training, paired with its advancing missile and nuclear programmes, could further destabilise the already volatile peninsula.
Western governments have condemned Pyongyang’s escalatory posture, while neighbouring South Korea remains on high alert.
