Kim urges drone dominance as North Korea fires missiles and rockets

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for his nation to achieve "absolute superiority" in drone technology, following an exhibition of unmanned aeronautical technology, according to state media KCNA. The demonstration featured tactical suicide attack drones, cruise missiles, multipurpose drones, and a battalion of 600mm multiple rocket launchers.

KCNA photographs showed North Korean Air Force emblem-bearing unmanned aerial vehicles at the event, which was attended by Kim and several of his generals. One photograph depicted an unmanned aerial vehicle crashing into a military vehicle and exploding, which KCNA claimed was part of a weapons demonstration.

Kim emphasized that pursuing drone technology superiority is "an indispensable option" due to the evolving nature of modern warfare, and prioritizing high-level AI in unmanned weapons systems for North Korea's modern military. He has previously ordered mass production of suicide attack drones in November 2024 and overseen tests of AI-equipped versions in March 2025. In September 2025, Kim declared AI a top priority in modernizing weapons.

North Korea has sent over 16,000 personnel to Russia since October 2024 to support Moscow in its conflict with Ukraine, gaining valuable experience in drone, electronic, and combined-arms warfare. South Korean intelligence suggests that North Korea is leveraging its experiences in these conflicts to transform its military with drones and AI.

According to Lim Eul-chul, a professor at South Korea's Kyungnam University, the comprehensive display of weapons is likely intended to eliminate the possibility of dialogue or negotiations with South Korea.