Overview

• Kim Jong Un oversaw a covert coastal artillery exercise on July 23, urging soldiers to prepare for genuine conflict and to destroy the enemy in every battle.
• State media released images showing shells fired toward the sea during the undisclosed drill site, highlighting the exercise’s secrecy.
• Under their 2024 mutual defense treaty, North Korea has deployed troops to Russia’s Kursk region and supplied Moscow with artillery shells and missiles.
• Since early 2025, Pyongyang has intensified tests of new armaments, including AI-powered explosive drones, long-range missiles and electronic jammers.
• Despite a May destroyer launch failure that led to arrests for gross negligence, North Korea is advancing construction of a third 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class destroyer slated for delivery by October 2026.