Kim Jong-un visits military academy again with sister, stresses combat-ready officers

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a military academy specializing in training junior officers, stressing the need for military personnel with real battlefield experience suited for modern warfare. His sister, Kim Yo-jong, was also spotted in the photographs released by state media.

The Rodong Sinmun reported on February 26 that Kim Jong-un inspected the Kang Kon Military Academy the previous day. This visit came just a day after he toured Kim Il-sung Political University, North Korea’s premier institution for training high-ranking military officers, marking two consecutive days of military-focused inspections.

Kim Jong-un’s repeated emphasis on military training appears to be a response to the heavy losses suffered by North Korean troops deployed to Russia, as they continue to face significant defeats against Ukrainian forces.

North Korea’s Push for “Battle-Hardened” Military Officers

During his visit, Kim underscored the importance of adapting to the realities of contemporary warfare, emphasizing that “all students must absorb real combat experiences occurring on modern battlefields in a manner suited to our military system.”

He also stressed the necessity for officers to “gain expertise in advanced weaponry and combat technology and develop commanding capabilities tailored for modern warfare to ensure only decisive victories.”

His repeated references to “real combat experience,” “battle-hardened military officers,” and “combat-ready warrior” have led analysts to suggest that Kim is pushing for North Korea to leverage its troop deployments in the Russia-Ukraine war as an opportunity to gain direct exposure to modern combat tactics.

Kim further stressed the ideological commitment of military cadets, saying, “Before imparting military knowledge, students must first be instilled with a steadfast revolutionary consciousness.” He emphasized that future officers must be trained into “combat-ready warriors” with sharpshooting skills, mastery of battle tactics, and strong physical endurance.

Criticism of Military Education Facilities

After inspecting the school’s educational facilities, Kim criticized their lack of modernization and alignment with the ruling party’s directives. He blamed the People’s Army Party Committee and the military education policy leadership for failing to fulfill their responsibilities adequately.

During his visit, Kim observed hand-to-hand combat demonstrations, live-fire shooting drills, and comprehensive physical training exercises conducted by students and instructors. State media also released a photograph showing Kim overseeing training in a room where a banner read, “Annihilate every last one of the impudent South Korean puppets!”

Meanwhile, accompanying Kim on this inspection were Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission; Jo Yong-won, party secretary for organization; Defense Minister No Kwang-chol; Chief of General Staff Ri Yong-gil; and Kim Yo-jong, his influential sister.

Located in Pyongyang’s Sunan District, the Kang Kon Military Academy is named after Kang Kon, a prominent guerrilla leader who fought against Japanese forces in Manchuria. After North Korea’s establishment, he became the first Chief of General Staff of the Korean People’s Army and Vice Minister of National Defense before being killed in action during the Korean War (1950-1953).

Kim’s visit to the academy signals a continued focus on military preparedness and ideological reinforcement amid ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and North Korea’s deepening involvement in global conflicts.

BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]