North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen an artillery firing contest on the birth anniversary of the state’s founder, Kim Il-sung, grandfather of the current leader Kim. The Korean Central News Agency reported that Comrade Kim Jong-un oversaw an artillery firing contest of artillery subunits under the large combined units of the Korean People’s Army in the western area organized yesterday.

It marks the first time the leader has been reported to attend a military-related event on the founder’s birth anniversary, observed as one of the country’s most important national holidays known as the Day of the Sun. Kim expressed satisfaction with the firing contest held on the “greatest auspicious” national holiday, calling it “an important occasion” to boost artillery training enthusiasm and strengthen combat capability. He called the utilisation of artillery forces the most important factor deciding the victory in operation and battle.