Overview
- State media said Kim Jong Un oversaw a coordinated offensive drill on March 19 at Pyongyang Training Base No. 60 involving infantry and armored units.
- Photos and video released by North Korea showed Kim riding a new main battle tank as his teenage daughter, widely known as Ju Ae, appeared in the driver’s position.
- KCNA reported the tank’s active protection system intercepted anti-tank missiles and drones from multiple directions, a performance claim not independently verified.
- Analysts identified the vehicle as the Chonma-20 first revealed in October; Kim was quoted saying it took seven years to develop, improves survivability and night operations, and will be widely fielded.
- The display followed recent North Korean missile and rocket launcher tests and coincided with the conclusion of U.S.–South Korea spring exercises, as South Korea’s intelligence has assessed Ju Ae is near formal successor designation.