North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un has called for a rapid expansion of drone technology while overseeing weapons tests, as tensions with South Korea intensify along their heavily fortified border.
Kim’s latest push emphasizes Pyongyang’s efforts to strengthen its conventional and nuclear capabilities, with advanced drones emerging as a key military priority. The move comes amid heightened security concerns on the Korean Peninsula and North Korea’s growing military cooperation with Russia.
According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim visited an exhibition showcasing attack drones and other unmanned aircraft, which officials presented as evidence of recent advances in the country’s unmanned aeronautical technology.
North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un at the exhibition.
Addressing the exhibition, Kim stressed the need to secure “the absolute superiority in the drone technology” and called for measures to “rapidly expand and strengthen the unmanned aeronautical technology.”
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The exhibition was accompanied by test launches involving various drones, missiles and weapons fired from the country’s 600mm-calibre ultra-precision multiple rocket launchers.
Photographs released by the news agency showed Kim observing weapons tests, including images of him clenching his fist while his teenage daughter applauded beside him. South Korea’s intelligence agency reportedly assesses that the girl, believed to be about 13, is a likely successor to her father.
North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un speaks at the exhibition.
Russia’s War Offers Lessons In Drone Warfare
North Korea’s renewed emphasis on unmanned systems comes as experts point to the potential military lessons its forces could have gained through their deployment to Russia in support of Moscow’s war against Ukraine.
North Korean troops sent to Russia have likely acquired valuable experience from Russian forces and battlefield operations, where drones have become an important feature of modern warfare.
Such experience could inform Pyongyang’s efforts to expand its own drone capabilities, although the precise extent of any knowledge transferred to North Korean forces remains unclear.
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South Korea’s Unification Ministry said that it would monitor developments following the exhibition, describing the event as the first time North Korea had held an exhibition devoted exclusively to drone technology.
The military demonstration also coincided with North Korea’s latest missile activity. South Korea’s military said it had detected the launch of about 10 short-range ballistic missiles off North Korea’s east coast on Thursday, marking the country’s first ballistic missile firings in 17 days.
The combination of drone development and missile testing underscores Pyongyang’s continued efforts to develop a broader range of weapons systems as it seeks to strengthen its military position.
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Border Dispute Deepens Security Concerns
Relations between the two Koreas have deteriorated following land mine explosions along their border last month that wounded three South Korean soldiers.
Seoul accused Pyongyang of planting the mines south of the military demarcation line and demanded an apology. North Korea denied responsibility and warned of retaliation if provoked.
Last week, Pyongyang also threatened to resume propaganda broadcasts through loudspeakers and deploy additional weapons systems along the border, adding to concerns about a further escalation.
North Korea’s Defence Ministry separately criticised an ongoing joint aerial exercise by the United States and South Korea, describing it as “provocative” and warning that it increased the danger of an armed conflict.
South Korea’s military said that the two-week Freedom Flag exercise, scheduled to run until November 6, was intended to improve the allies’ combined operational capabilities. Fighter jets, helicopters and drones were among the aerial assets expected to participate.
The competing military activities reflect the persistent mistrust between the two sides, which have remained locked in a prolonged confrontation despite previous attempts at diplomatic engagement.
Weapons Buildup Amid Possible Diplomatic Shifts
North Korea withdrew from nuclear talks with Washington and Seoul after Kim’s high-profile diplomacy with US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019.
In recent weeks, Pyongyang has increased its weapons-testing activities, potentially seeking to strengthen its negotiating position as Trump has expressed interest in restoring talks with Kim.
At the same time, Kim has moved to reinforce relations with China, North Korea’s principal economic lifeline, following years of prioritising ties with Russia.
On Saturday, Kim made an unexpected visit to a Chinese border town via a newly opened bridge and pledged to develop bilateral relations. The visit signals continued efforts by Pyongyang to strengthen ties with Beijing while maintaining its expanding relationship with Moscow.
North Korea has supplied Russia with thousands of troops and ammunition, with analysts suggesting that Pyongyang may receive economic and military assistance in return.
Kim’s renewed focus on drone technology therefore comes against a wider backdrop of military modernisation, international partnerships and rising tensions with South Korea. While the full scope of North Korea’s latest drone programme remains uncertain, its leadership has made clear that developing unmanned systems is an increasingly important part of its military ambitions.
