The Supreme Leader specifying important tasks for artillery training and modernization of artillery pieces. (Photo KCNA via Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and supreme commander of the armed forces of the DPRK, guided the drill of mortar sub-units of the KPA corps.

The Supreme Leader expressed great satisfaction over the fact that all the corps of the KPA fully accepted the Party's idea of giving priority to the artillery and prepared well the firepower sub-units for modern war in the flames of the movement for becoming crackshots. He said that he had never seen the sub-units firing gun so well, adding that he ordered the sub-units to move to the training ground and organized the drill by surprise but the result of the drill was so amazing. He stressed that he was really pleased and happy to see shells hitting the target just as if they had eyes.

He repeatedly spoke highly of the amazing marksmanship of the mortar companies of each army corps, who got very high points, including the 2nd Army Corps and 10th Army Corps which accurately hit the target with all the 60 shells fired. He conveyed his immediate thanks to all those in the firepower positions.

The Supreme Leader specified important tasks for artillery training and modernization of artillery pieces. He said that it is important to intensify training to make good use of light guns and heavy weapons like mortars in operations and combats. He emphasized the need to further spur the preparations of artillerymen for combat under the slogan of giving priority to the artillery as the artillery forces play a decisive role in the modern warfare.

A drill of mortar sub-units of corps of the Korean People's Army (KPA) took place at a stirring time when the hot wind of revolution in training sweeps across the KPA and the flame of modernizing weapons and equipment raise higher to increase the combat efficiency of the KPA under the far-reaching plan and energetic leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea to further fortify the country's defense capabilities. The drill was held also at a time when the unprecedented proud achievements are being made successively in developing the national defense capabilities.Watching the drill were officials of the Central Committee of the WPK.Supreme Leader of the Party, state and armed forces Kim Jong Un was greeted at the training ground by Army General Kim Su Gil, director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, Army General Pak Jong Chon, chief of the General Staff of the KPA, and corps commanders of the KPA.The KPA service personnel were full of great honor and pride of participating in the drill under the direct guidance of the Supreme Leader, who is making the ceaseless journey to frontline from the beginning of the year out of his far-reaching plan for another innovative leaping progress in strengthening the combat efficiency of the KPA this year greeting the 75th founding anniversary of the glorious WPK while opening up the heyday of the development of revolutionary armed forces with his gifted military strategic idea and outstanding commanding art.The drill was aimed at learning about the power of light guns and heavy weapons of the KPA as well as judging and estimating the firepower combat abilities of mortar-men of each KPA corps through contest, boosting the enthusiasm for military training and expanding the results.In the drill the firing sequence was set by drawing lots, according to which mortar unit selected from different corps takes firing positions and opens fire on the target. The standings were set by their hits and the time taken to execute the firepower mission.The KPA corps commanders took charge of firepower commanding for their own mortar sub-units, according to their determinations.At the orders of fire by the corps commanders, artillery pieces opened fire all at once, turning a target into a sea of fire in a moment.In the shelling drill, the mortar-men fully displayed their skill which they have trained during ceaseless training to possess the capability for fighting an actual war as set forth by the Party. They demonstrated the combat efficiency of one-match-for-a-hundred artillerymen ready to carry out any firepower support combat mission.Greatly excited to be honored with thanks from the Supreme Commander, the gunners raised cheers of stormy hurrah full of delight and happiness.A certificate of master gunner, medal and badge were awarded to the mortar company under the 2nd Army Corps which won the first place in the drill, and certificate of master gunner sub-unit and badge to all the sub-units which made signal achievements in the contest.Sky-high militant spirit and enthusiasm pervade all the sub-units and artillerymen as they took part in the firing drill under the direct guidance of the Supreme Leader.(KCNA - April 10, 2020)