North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for more intensive artillery training and tactical upgrades, urging the military to prepare for "real war" conditions amid what he described as a rapidly changing and hostile battlefield environment.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is pushing his military to prepare for what he calls the “harsh and acute” realities of modern warfare.

Overseeing a live-fire artillery contest on Wednesday, the leader stressed the need for the Korean People’s Army (KPA) to sharpen its battlefield readiness through intense, real-world training.

According to state media, Kim was “satisfied” with the performance of the artillery subunits, but made it clear that more must be done. He urged his forces to focus on strengthening their combat capabilities so they can “immediately cope with war anytime” and “destroy the enemy in every battle.”

“The clearest outlook on the arch enemy is the most powerful war deterrent,” he reportedly said — a sharp message as tensions on the Korean Peninsula continue to simmer.

Back in February, Kim declared 2025 the “year of military training” and has since stepped up efforts to modernise the army’s tactics and weapons systems.

Wednesday’s drills follow a similar artillery contest he observed in late May, part of a broader pattern of high-profile inspections aimed at sending a message both at home and abroad.

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