NK leader inspects special operation forces, test-firing of multiple rocket launcher
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, center, inspects the training base of the Army's special operations forces in this photo provided by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, Sept. 11. Yonhap
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected a training base for special operations forces and a test-firing of a new 600mm multiple rocket launcher, state media said Friday.
Kim inspected the training base of the special operation armed force of the Korean People's Army (KPA) on Wednesday to supervise a drill, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
He toured various facilities and training grounds, commenting that they were effectively organized to simulate real warfare, it said.
"The KPA should be fully ready to check the enemy at once and mercilessly and completely repress them even if a war breaks out at once today, and it is the first patriotism and loyalty to the state and people and the foremost revolutionary duty for the soldiers to devote their all to the intensive drills for a real war," he said.
In addition, Kim oversaw the test-firing to evaluate the performance of a new 600mm multiple rocket launcher, the KCNA said in a separate report.
On Thursday, North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, according to the South Korean military. The missiles were detected from the Pyongyang area at 7:10 a.m., though further details, such as the number of missiles fired, were not provided.
"The test was conducted, aiming at further developing the launcher's driving system and verifying the combat effectiveness of the launcher in which the whole process of firepower is fully automated," the KCNA said. (Yonhap)