Ministry of Unification Closely Monitoring Developments Following North Korea's Public Artillery Shooting Competition

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The Ministry of Unification stated regarding the disclosure that North Korean troops conducted artillery unit artillery shooting competition training, "The government will closely monitor related trends rather than presuming North Korea's intentions."

Lee Jong-joo, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, said at a regular briefing on the day in response to related questions, "North Korea has been conducting various forms of military training in the format of competition events such as artillery unit artillery shooting competitions, combat flight skill competitions, special operations unit reinforcement and target strike competitions," and responded accordingly.

The spokesperson explained, "In the case of the competitions and military trainings conducted so far, Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, often participated, but there have been no reports of Kim's attendance at the military trainings conducted this year."

Earlier, North Korea disclosed through the Korean Central News Agency and others that on the 6th, under the guidance of Park Jong-chon, member of the Standing Committee of the Workers' Party Political Bureau and the highest-ranking military official, artillery unit artillery shooting competition training was conducted. It is known that Kim Jong-un did not directly guide the training at that time.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson explained the status of regular calls through the inter-Korean joint liaison office channel, "Since the reopening on the 4th of last month, as of today, South and North Korea have been conducting opening and closing calls normally every day at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m."

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