North Korea has conducted a military shooting exercise to boost its combat readiness, Yonhap reported.
This comes as South Korea and the United States prepare to begin their joint military drills next week.
Tactical artillery units of the North's armed forces conducted a shooting competition on Monday in accordance with a combat drill plan from the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
North Korea's move came a week before Seoul and Washington begin their annual summer military exercises, "Ulchi Freedom Shield" (UFS), scheduled for August 18-28.
North Korea said the shooting competition was aimed at "improving the warfighting capability and combat readiness of the entire army".
The latest drills were led by Pak Jong-chun, vice chairman of the ruling party's Central Military Commission. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un did not attend.
North Korea has long condemned joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States as rehearsals for invasion. The allies have said the joint exercises are defensive in nature.
North Korea's Defense Minister Noh Kwang-chol warned on Monday that Pyongyang would take "self-defense" measures in the event of any provocation, condemning large-scale military exercises planned by Seoul and Washington.