Kim Jong Un acknowledges a KPA Strategic Force unit on September 15, 2017 (Photo: KCNA).
KJU’s last observed appearance was his attendance at a photo-op with schoolteachers
Kim Jong Un watches a missile drill on September 15, 2017. Also in attendance behind him are Kim Jong Sik and Ri Pyong Chol (Photo: KCNA).
Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) observed a launch of the Hwasong-12 on the outskirts of Pyongyang early in the morning on September 15 (Friday). Also in attendance were senior officials of the Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Munitions Industry Department Ri Pyong Chol [Ri Pyo’ng-ch’o’l], Kim Jong Sik [Kim Cho’ng-sik], Jon Il Ho [Cho’n Il-ho] and Yu Jin [Yu Chin], Second Academy of Natural Sciences President Jang Chang Ha [Chang Chang-ha], KPA Strategic Force Commander Gen. Kim Rak Gyom [Kim Rak-kyo’m] and WPK Organization Guidance Department deputy director Jo Yong Won [Cho Yo’ng-wo’n].
WPK Munitions Industry Department Deputy Directors Kim Jong Sik and Yu Jin, shake hands with Second Academy of Natural Sciences President Jang Chang Ha and WPK Munitions Industry Department Senior Deputy Director Ri Pyong Chol. Also in attendance, left, is WPK Organization Guidance Department Deputy Director Jo Yong Won (Photo: KCNA).
Front page of the September 16, 2017 edition of the WPK daily newspaper Rodong Sinmun
According to KCNA, the missile drill “was conducted with the aim at calming down the belligerence of the US which has recently cried out for using military muscle against the DPRK, and at bolstering operations capability for attack and counter attack to counter it with swift and powerful military counteraction, examining the order to deal with nuclear warheads and confirming action procedures of actual war.The Hwasong artillerymen were rapidly deployed to the launching ground at early morning under a sudden order of respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. They were waiting for the moment to launch ballistic rocket after launching preparation under skillful organization and command.”
Kim Jong Un appreciated the “current launching drill of very great meaning in increasing combat power of the nuclear force attained its aim” and expressed “great satisfaction over the successful launching drill.” He praised the “Hwasong artillerymen for handling the rocket well with skillful firepower service.” He said that “the combat efficiency and reliability of Hwasong-12 were thoroughly verified, operation members’ capacity for actual war is also very perfect and the work for increasing the combat power of Hwasong-12 has been realized.”
Jong Un noted that “all drills should become meaningful and practical ones for increasing the combat power of the nuclear force like the current drill in the future, and the order to deal with nuclear warheads should be strictly established suited to their deployment for actual war.” He “underlined for the scientists and technicians in the field of rocket research and Hwasong artillerymen to put rockets on a modern and ultra modern basis and develop the operations level onto a higher stage with their close combination.”
He told the senior MID and SANS officials gathered that “our final goal is to establish equilibrium of [a] real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option for the DPRK” and he “stressed the need to run at full speed and straight, continuing to qualitatively consolidate the military attack capacity for nuclear counterattack the US can not cope with.”
Kim Jong Un said that “as recognized by the whole world, we have made all these achievements despite the UN sanctions that have lasted for decades but never made them from any ‘benefit’ of the UN. It is very stifling for those countries styling themselves big powers keeping their minds on bringing their knees the DPRK through UN sanctions.” He also said that “we should clearly show the big power chauvinists how our state attains the goal of completing its nuclear force despite their limitless sanctions and blockade” and underscored the “need to put an end to them with the all-state efforts as it has nearly reached the terminal.”
