(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) TOKYO, April 25 (KUNA) -- North Korea staged what appears to be the largest firing drill on Tuesday amid increasing tensions with the US to mark the 85th founding anniversary of its military, the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported.
"Signs are detected that North Korea's military is conducting a large-scale drill around the eastern port city of Wonsan on the anniversary," a South Korean government source was quoted as saying.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is presumed to have watched the exercise involving some 300-400 long-range artillery pieces that can put Seoul and its adjacent areas within range, it added. The move is seen as North Korea's show of military force against Seoul and Washington instead of staging a large-scale provocation on the founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army.
Speculation has been rife that Pyongyang may conduct its sixth nuclear test or launch a long-range ballistic missile to mark its military event.
Tensions between the US and North Korea have heightened amid concerns about a possible pre-emptive strike by Washington against Pyongyang.
The US navy strike group including the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson is expected to arrive near the Korean Peninsula later this week in a show of force against the North.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump held phone talks with his Chinese and Japanese counterparts and vowed closer cooperation to tackle North Korea's nuclear and missile problems. (end) mk.gta
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