KIM JONG UN WATCHES KPA TANK CREWS' COMPETITION-2016

Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, watched the KPA tank crews' competition-2016.

He was greeted by Hwang Pyong So, Pak Yong Sik, Ri Myong Su and other commanding officers of the KPA and commanders of the services and corps commanders.

Tanks started by the order set by lot. Tank crews selected from the KPA corps competed in overcoming obstacles along nine lines before firing at moving and fixed targets. The standing was decided by points gained in both events.

He ordered the start of the competition after hearing about the plan of the competition at the observation post.

Watching with satisfaction rumbling tanks, he said it was great to see the tanks quickly overcoming the obstacles. He said he was pleased to witness the sky-high spirit of the KPA, noting that tank represents the spirit.

He was satisfied with the atmosphere of the competition as "enemy" targets were blown up to pieces and resounding frontline-style information and agitation instilled courage into the tank crews, turning the drill ground into a battle field.

The 108th Motorized Infantry Division of the KPA came first to be followed by the 3rd Corps and the 105th Tank Division.

At the end of the competition, he advanced important tasks which would serve as guidelines for the KPA to make thorough combat preparations.

He called for organizing more often such a competition very favorable for revving up the militant spirit of the tank crews and their zeal for training and bolstering up the capability in the future, too.

In case a war breaks out, tanks should advance, sweeping away everything in their way, and destroy the enemy positions, he noted, adding that in order to do so, it is necessary to learn from the fighting mettle and spirit of the hero crews of Tank No. 312 under the Seoul Ryu Kyong Su Guards 105th Tank Division of the KPA which hoisted the flag of the DPRK on the top of the puppet Capitol Building after advancing into Seoul before any other tanks during the past Fatherland Liberation War.

He gave important instructions to be implemented to round off the preparations of the tank crew for a war.

We will be the first to get the golden opportunity to reunify the country, he said, noting: If the enemies dare preempt an attack on our inviolable land, we should mercilessly wipe them out.

He expressed expectation and belief that the tank crews would defend the Seventh Congress of the WPK and successfully adorn this significant year by bolstering the combat capability and rounding off the combat readiness.

Watching the competition were tank commanding officers and teachers of the military academies at all levels.