The North Korean state media reported on Sunday, January 17, Kim Jong-il has inspected a joint military drill of "shattering" intensity in the first such disclosure since he became military commander two decades ago.Release of Kim's visit to the joint military drill comes after North Korea threatened on Friday, January 15, to break off all dialog with South Korea unless Seoul apologized for reportedly drawing up a contingency plan to handle potential instability in the North.
The North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Kim, who viewed the drill by the army, navy, and air force from an observation platform, expressed great satisfaction.
The state media, however, did not disclose when or where the maneuvers were held.
The North's state television, Korean Central Television (KCTV), released photographs of Kim Jong-il on a hilltop overlooking the exercise and scores of multiple-rocket-launchers.
It was the first time North Korea has released news of Kim inspecting such a joint drill since he was named supreme commander of the armed forces by his father, Kim Il-Sung, in December 1991.
KCNA reported, "With the order for the
start of the maneuvers, flying corps, warships and ground artillery pieces of various kinds showered a merciless barrage at the 'enemy group' in close coordination, thus shattering the 'enemy camp' to pieces and turning it into a sea of flame."
We had a few theories on the release of the occurrence by the North's state media:
1. It was designed to display a show of force against South Korea as part of its negotiating tactics.
2. It was designed for domestic consumption to quell the restless.
Given all the events that has been taking place in North Korea since last November, our money is on scenario number 2 as being most likely reason for the most recent release.
Definitely even money on scenario #2
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