North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made headlines again, this time for his appearance at a military demonstration showcasing a new battle tank. 

State media KCNA reported on Thursday that Kim oversaw the event, expressing "great satisfaction" at the tank's performance during its inaugural display. 

The demonstration, held on Wednesday, aimed to evaluate the combat capabilities of tank crews and familiarize them with various tactical missions.

North Korea Conducts Mock Tank Battles

According to KCNA, the 105th Tank Division emerged victorious in the mock battle, a unit with historical significance as it occupied Seoul during the Korean War. 

In a rare sight, Kim Jong Un was photographed driving the tank himself, surrounded by troops. The imagery, released by KCNA, captured the leader's involvement in the military activities.

The timing of the demonstration coincided with the conclusion of joint military drills between South Korea and the United States, known as the Freedom Shield exercises. 

These drills, according to South Korean authorities, included a joint live-fire exercise featuring tanks, armored cars, and FA-50 fighter jets. While South Korea maintains that these exercises are purely defensive, North Korea views them as "provocative" and "reckless" rehearsals for war.

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North Korea's Increasing Military Drills

Kim Jong Un's presence at the demonstration follows a recent artillery firing drill by the Korean People's Army near the border. North Korea's display of military prowess comes amid escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula.

Additionally, North Korea showcased its long-range artillery systems earlier, highlighting its capability to strike South Korea with minimal warning and cause significant casualties. 

The country's ground forces, as described by military experts, are substantial, with over a million active-duty personnel organized into various corps, including infantry, mechanized, armored, and artillery.

Moreover, North Korea's military arsenal includes a significant number of medium and light tanks, as well as indigenous and foreign variants of light tanks. The North Korean Army possesses T-54/55, Type 59, and T-62 tanks, among others.

Kim Jong Un's appearance at the military demonstration underscores North Korea's ongoing commitment to showcasing its military capabilities. The event also highlights the continued tensions on the Korean peninsula, despite diplomatic efforts to ease hostilities. 

North Korea and Russia

Meanwhile, South Korea's defense minister reported last month that North Korea's weapons facilities are "operating at full capacity" to make weapons for Russia, helping with its war efforts in Ukraine (via CNN).

The South Korean assessment sheds new light on the critical role North Korea is playing in resupplying Moscow's war efforts, at a time when Ukraine's demand for important military resupplies is being stymied in Europe and the US.

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