North Korea’s Kim Calls For Major Expansion Of Drone Technology After Weapons Tests

Kim Jong Un Pushes For Drone Warfare Expansion, Watches North Korea’s Latest Weapons Trials

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has directed the country to accelerate the development of drone technology and strengthen its unmanned military capabilities. The announcement came as Kim attended an exhibition showcasing attack drones and supervised a series of weapons tests, state media reported on Friday.

The latest developments come amid a prolonged military standoff between North Korea and South Korea, whose heavily fortified border remains a major source of regional tension.

Developing advanced drones has emerged as an important part of Kim’s military strategy as Pyongyang seeks to enhance both its conventional and nuclear capabilities. Experts believe North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia in support of its war against Ukraine may have gained practical knowledge of modern drone warfare through their experience alongside Russian troops.

Kim Calls For Technological Superiority In Drone Warfare
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim visited an exhibition on Thursday featuring attack drones and other unmanned aircraft. The event displayed what North Korean officials described as recent advances in the country’s unmanned aviation sector.

Speaking at the exhibition, Kim highlighted the need for North Korea to establish what he described as “absolute superiority in the drone technology”. He also called for immediate measures to expand and strengthen the country’s unmanned aviation capabilities, without providing further details about the proposed steps.

Following the exhibition, North Korea conducted test launches involving several drones, missiles and weapons systems, including those fired from its 600 mm-calibre ultra-precision multiple rocket launchers.

Images released by KCNA showed Kim observing the military demonstrations. His teenage daughter was also present at the event and was photographed applauding. South Korea’s intelligence agency believes the girl, who is reportedly around 13, may be positioned as Kim’s eventual successor.

South Korea Detects 10 Ballistic Missile Launches
South Korea’s military separately reported detecting around 10 short-range ballistic missiles fired from Wonsan on North Korea’s eastern coast on Thursday.

The launches represented North Korea’s first ballistic missile tests in 17 days and came amid renewed military activity by Pyongyang.

Land Mine Explosions Deepen Inter-Korean Tensions
Relations between the two Koreas have become increasingly strained following land mine explosions near their shared border last month. Three South Korean soldiers were injured in the incidents.

Seoul alleged that North Korea had planted the mines south of the Military Demarcation Line and demanded an apology from Pyongyang. North Korea denied involvement and warned that it would respond if provoked.

Pyongyang also threatened last week to restart propaganda broadcasts through loudspeakers and position additional weapons systems near the border, further raising tensions.

North Korea Keeps Door Open To Possible US Talks
Diplomatic engagement between North Korea, the United States and South Korea has remained stalled since Kim’s high-profile negotiations with US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019.

In recent weeks, Pyongyang has increased its weapons testing activity. Analysts believe the move could be intended to strengthen North Korea’s bargaining position in any future negotiations, particularly after Trump expressed interest in resuming dialogue with Kim.

Kim Moves To Strengthen Ties With China
Kim recently made a surprise visit to a Chinese border town, crossing a newly opened bridge and pledging to deepen bilateral relations.

The visit reflects North Korea’s efforts to reinforce its relationship with China, its principal economic partner. This follows several years in which Pyongyang placed considerable emphasis on strengthening ties with Moscow, including reportedly sending thousands of troops and ammunition to support Russia’s war effort in exchange for possible economic and military assistance.

Meanwhile, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis arrived in North Korea on Thursday for the reopening of Switzerland’s diplomatic office in Pyongyang. He is also scheduled to meet North Korean officials before travelling to South Korea on Friday.

The latest diplomatic and military developments highlight North Korea’s parallel efforts to expand its defence capabilities and strengthen international relationships amid continuing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.