Is Kim Jong Un preparing for a ‘real’ World War 3? Orders military to be battle-ready and ‘annihilate the enemy’

North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has ordered his military to stay in a state of full war readiness. The directive came as Kim oversaw a large-scale artillery firing contest involving front-line Korean People’s Army (KPA) units on July 23, according to North Korea’s official media outlet, KCNA.

Kim reminded the audience of the contest's importance in boosting combat preparedness and called on soldiers to be ready to “defeat the enemy in every battle.”

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However, he did not name any country. But weeks ago, he threatened to take military action to counter any security threat against it in a warning against the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

The exercise tested night marching, sudden deployment, and precision firing on maritime targets, all under realistic war-like conditions.

'Year of military training'

North Korea has declared 2025 as the “year of military training,” indicating its intent to escalate combat exercises.

KCNA reported that Kim expressed satisfaction with the contest, saying it resembled an actual war scenario. He urged the military to lead the “training-first” policy and enhance its combat systems in line with evolving battlefield conditions.

Commanders from across the KPA were present, including Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission Pak Jong Chon, Defense Minister No Kwang Chol, and Chief of the General Staff Ri Yong Gil.

Kim congratulated the winning unit, the 2nd Battery of the 3rd Artillery Battalion of the 16th Artillery Regiment, and invited them to the country’s 72nd anniversary celebrations of the Korean War armistice.

Support for Russia’s war

Meanwhile, global attention remains fixed on North Korea’s increasing involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Intelligence reports from South Korea and the West claim North Korea has sent over 10,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region, along with weapons including missiles and artillery systems.

Pyongyong has allegedly supplied Russia with ammunition in return for financial compensation, helping to boost its own weapons production. Ukrainian sources also accuse Pyongyang of launching KN-23 missiles that struck residential areas in Kyiv, killing at least 12 civilians.

It is also reported that about 600 North Korean troops have been killed in combat near Russia's border. These developments come amid deepening military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, which signed a formal defense pact last year.

Could this lead to a wider world conflict?

Kim Jong Un’s heightened war rhetoric and North Korea’s growing military involvement alongside Russia have sparked questions about the potential for a broader global conflict.

Although Kim made similar war threats earlier, multiple things are at stake now. The US is busy with its homegrown issues, the Ukraine war, relations with Russia, and maintaining its influence in the Middle East after the Israel-Iran-Syria conflict. A situation where Kim might want to showcase its capabilities.

While there is no official declaration of war, the convergence of flashpoints, from Eastern Europe to the Korean Peninsula, has given ammunition to worries.