Casualties reported during N. Korea’s military drills involving paratroopers last month
SEOUL, April 4 (Yonhap) — Multiple casualties occurred during military drills involving paratroopers supervised by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un last month, South Korean government sources said Thursday.
Pyongyang’s state media reported on March 16 that Kim guided the training of airborne military units the previous day and called for war preparations. He was accompanied by his teen daughter, Ju-ae.
The drills apparently took place despite strong winds, blocking parachutes from opening properly and causing collisions, according to the sources.
This photo, carried by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency on March 16, 2024, shows the North staging military drills of paratroopers, guided by its leader Kim Jong-un, the previous day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
State media said Kim observed with great satisfaction the paratroopers “fully demonstrating their perfect combat capability,” without addressing the incident.
A military official said authorities are closely monitoring the North Korean military’s activities and drills.
An official at the unification ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs told reporters Thursday the ministry has no details to confirm.
This photo, carried by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency on March 16, 2024, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attending military drills of paratroopers the previous day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
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