North Korea doesn’t have the military prowess it likes to pretend it does, so they’ll do anything they can to try and look tough…including breaking rocks on soldiers’ stomachs. Yes, really.
North Korea has once again showcased a dramatic and overt display of military might, releasing photos of its soldiers engaging in extreme physical endurance exercises. The images, which feature shirtless troops smashing bricks on the body and head of a fellow soldier with sledgehammers, are the latest in a long line of propaganda meant to demonstrate the strength and resilience of the country’s military.
The photos were taken at an undisclosed location and depict one soldier lying on his back between two supports as bricks on his face and stomach are shattered by his comrades. In the background, more shirtless soldiers can be seen kneeling, waiting their turn to participate in the display of force. These images, released by state media, come amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reiterating his threat to use nuclear weapons against South Korea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZQzKsmJ37I
In a statement published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim warned that North Korea would not hesitate to use its “offensive forces,” including nuclear weapons, if South Korea were to challenge the country’s sovereignty. He further stated that any such provocation would result in the destruction of Seoul and the “permanent” end of South Korea.
Kim’s aggressive rhetoric and these images of soldiers engaging in martial displays serve to underscore the regime’s message of military dominance. This is not the first time North Korea has used such imagery to highlight its supposed military prowess. In 2021, a similar video surfaced showing soldiers breaking bricks over each other’s heads and arms, with Kim Jong-un and other top officials watching and applauding the demonstration.
These displays are often tied to the unveiling of new weaponry or military advancements. In 2021, the exhibition of brick-breaking feats was part of a broader self-defense demonstration, which also highlighted North Korea’s latest hypersonic missile technology.
While these demonstrations are intended to project an image of strength to both domestic and international audiences, they also come as a reminder of the ongoing volatility in the region. North Korea’s continuous displays of force, along with its nuclear threats, keep tensions high on the Korean Peninsula, raising concerns among its neighbors and the international community.
