North Korea leader Kim Jong Un visits military training base

Kim Jong Un visits special operation units, emphasizes strengthening forces, tests sniper rifle, amid reports of troops in Ukraine.

“North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday (April 4, 2025) visited the military training base of the special operation units of the Korean People’s Army,” state media reported on Saturday (April 5, 2025.)

“Mr. Kim mounted the observation post to watch the general tactical training and small-arms shooting contest conducted by combatants of various special operation units under the training programme,” KCNA state news agency said.

"Strengthening of the special operation forces constitutes a major component of the Army-building strategy at present," KCNA quoted Mr. Kim as saying.

Mr. Kim said strengthening special operations forces is a key part of the current military strategy, and he outlined a series of major tasks aimed at enhancing their operational capabilities. KCNA does not provide details of major tasks.

Mr. Kim also conducted the test-fire of a sniper rifle, to be newly supplied to special operation units, and learned about its results, expressing satisfaction over the performance and power of the sniper rifle developed by North Korean technology.

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“North Korean special operations units are among the thousands of troops that Pyongyang has deployed to Russia to fight in the Ukraine war,” South Korea has said.