North Korean state media recently released multiple photos showing the country’s leader Kim Jong Un shooting with a sniper rifle, appearing to hit the bullseye five times. However, experts have pointed out that Kim’s handling of the rifle in the photos is incorrect, making it unlikely that he actually hit the target. Any person with shooting training would recognize that this display is fake.
According to the report from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Jong Un visited a key defense industry enterprise under the Second Economic Committee on May 11 and 12 to assess the implementation of defense industry policies. He personally test-fired a newly developed sniper rifle at a firearms production company, praising its performance as reaching “world-class levels.”
One photo released by KCNA shows five bullet holes on the bullseye of a target, but it was not specified whether these were from Kim’s shots. This could be a deliberate attempt to depict Kim Jong Un as a sharpshooter.
Lee Il-Woo, Secretary-General of the Korea Defence Network, told Radio Free Asia that Kim Jong Un’s shooting posture in the photos was completely incorrect, making it impossible to hit the bullseye. He emphasized that any trained shooter would know that the images of Kim hitting the bullseye five times are fake.
Lee explained that sniper rifles have stronger recoil than other types of firearms, requiring a different grip. If Kim Jong Un used the shooting stance shown in the photos, the recoil would cause the barrel to rise, making it difficult for bullets to accurately hit the target.
He stated, “Even at close range, firing in this manner would cause the barrel to rise. I truly believe his handling of the rifle is incorrect. I don’t think he has received sniper rifle shooting training.”
Radio Free Asia reported that North Korea’s “cult of personality” has heavily promoted Kim Jong Un. A book describing Kim claims that he could shoot at the age of 3 and hit 10 targets in 3 seconds at the age of 9, greatly pleasing his father, former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.
The report mentioned that out of the 29 photos of Kim Jong Un inspecting defense industry enterprises released by KCNA on May 13, 11 were pixelated to prevent identification of faces or equipment.
Jeffrey Lewis, a professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey and director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Project, shared on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), “Someone doesn’t want us to know he’s importing North Korean weapons.”
Lee Il-Woo mentioned that some faces in the photos were blurred to avoid being recognized by the international community and facing sanctions.
He added that these individuals must open overseas accounts to conduct transactions as they are responsible for procuring parts and technology. If they are identified, their work would become significantly more challenging.