Reviewing Military Exercises, Kim Jong-un Praises North Korea's New Main Battle Tank

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed his satisfaction and praised the country's main combat tank (MBT) performance while reviewing North Korean military exercises, as the United States and South Korea completed joint military exercises.

Leader Kim said the "big satisfaction" of the new type of major combat tanks in the drills managed to demonstrate the strength of its attack on Wednesday, state media reported KCNA.

"This exercise is designed to examine tank crew combat capabilities and make them accustomed to combat action on various tactical missions," he said.

"Quickly going through the worst fighting situations, heavy tanks attack targets simultaneously with strong attacks and break through strong defensive lines with high maneuverability," the report said.

The 105th Tank Division, which was declared the winner of the mock battle, was a unit occupying the South Korean capital Seoul during the Korean War, KCNA said.

Leader Kim was accompanied by senior officials on this occasion, including Defense Minister Kang Sun-nam.

North Korea previously showcased the new tank at a military parade in October 2020 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party. Experts say the tanks on display this week appear to be an upgraded version, cited from The Korea Times.

This combat exercise comes as a joint annual exercise involving South Korea and the US will end on Thursday. The exercise titled 'Freedom Shield' was the first since Pyongyang canceled an inter-Korean military pact in 2018 aimed at easing tensions in November.

As part of the drills, South Korean troops said joint forces had carried out joint firing exercises at a training base in Pocheon City in the past week.

This shooting exercise featured tanks, armored cars, and FA-50 fighter jets, the military said in a statement.

North Korea has long condemned the military exercise as a war exercise. While Seoul described the drill as pure defense.