North Korea conducts large-scale artillery and missile live-fire exercises

North Korea staged a significant military exercise involving live-fire drills with artillery and missiles, according to state media reports on Wednesday. The "joint firepower attack drill" brought together five army units and was designed to evaluate the operational readiness of several weapon platforms, the Korean Central News Agency said. The exercises underscore Pyongyang's continued focus on military modernisation and readiness amid ongoing regional tensions. The drill's specific details, including the weapons systems tested and locations involved, were not disclosed by the state media. The timing of the exercises comes as North Korea has accelerated its weapons development programme over recent months, conducting multiple weapons tests that have drawn international concern and condemnation from neighbouring countries and the United States.