North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw a series of high-intensity air force drills, reinforcing his call for the country’s military to dramatically elevate its combat readiness, according to state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
During the exercise held on May 15, Kim observed anti-aircraft combat and air strike maneuvers executed by the First Air Division. He directed “all units across the entire armed forces” to achieve a “decisive breakthrough in war preparedness,” emphasizing the urgency of military reform and rapid tactical development.
KCNA footage broadcasted via North Korean state TV showed a MiG-29 fighter jet launching what analysts believe is a domestically modified version of a Russian air-to-air missile. The missile appeared to have mid-to-long range capabilities, according to Hong Min, a defense expert at the Korea Institute for National Unification.
This air drill is the latest in a string of high-profile military inspections by Kim Jong Un this month. He has also supervised a missile launch, toured tank and munitions factories, and paid an unusual visit to the Russian embassy in Pyongyang—reaffirming his support for North Korea’s alliance with Moscow. In addition, Kim presided over tank shooting drills and special forces exercises.
Meanwhile, tensions with Washington continue to escalate. North Korea harshly criticized the U.S. State Department after being listed once again as a country that “does not fully cooperate” in counterterrorism efforts—a designation Pyongyang has faced annually since 1997, per South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency.
In response, a spokesperson from North Korea’s Foreign Ministry warned:
“The more the U.S. provokes the DPRK with hostile and ineffective acts, the deeper the irreconcilable hostility between our nations will grow.”
The official further stated that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) will implement “effective and appropriate measures” to counter all U.S. provocations across military, political, and diplomatic arenas.