North Korean leader runs submarine exercise at unspecified location

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un is reported to have personally run a submarine exercise. According to the Korean Central News Agency, the exercise was held at “naval unit No. 189.” Kim reviewed the submarine crews’ schedules for next year and urged more intensive training in conditions “approximating combat situations to the maximum extent,” the Russian news agency TASS reported.

The North Korean leader, having the military rank of a marshal, called for stepping up the development of the country’s naval force potential next year, when North Korea will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Also, he emphasized the importance of bolstering the submarine crews’ morale.

On his inspection Kim was accompanied by the chief of the Korean People’s Army’s political department Hwang Pyong-so, Chief of the General Staff Ri Yong-gil, and other senior officers. The KCNA did not specify the naval unit’s location.