Kim Jong Un Pushes For Faster Drone Development, Oversees Weapons Tests In North Korea

Kim Jong Un Orders Faster Drone Development, Oversees Missile And Weapons Tests In North Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for a rapid expansion of the country’s drone capabilities while overseeing tests involving drones, missiles and other weapons, state media reported on Friday. The move comes amid heightened tensions between Pyongyang and Seoul along their heavily militarised border.

Advanced drone technology has become a major priority for Kim as North Korea seeks to strengthen its conventional and nuclear military capabilities. Defence experts believe North Korean troops deployed to Russia to support its war against Ukraine may have gained valuable experience in drone warfare through their exposure to Russian forces and battlefield operations.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim visited an exhibition of attack drones and other unmanned aerial systems on Thursday. The display highlighted what state media described as the country’s latest progress in unmanned aviation technology.

Addressing the event, Kim emphasised the importance of achieving what he called “absolute superiority in the drone technology”. He also outlined the need for measures to rapidly expand and strengthen the country’s unmanned aviation capabilities, although specific details were not disclosed.

North Korea Conducts Multiple Weapons Tests
Following the exhibition, North Korea carried out test launches involving different types of drones, missiles and weapons fired from its 600 mm-calibre ultra-precision multiple rocket launchers, KCNA reported.

Photographs released by state media showed Kim observing the tests, including images of weapons being launched into the sky. His teenage daughter was also seen accompanying him and applauding during the event. South Korea’s intelligence agency believes the girl, reportedly around 13 years old, could be Kim’s designated successor.

South Korea’s military had earlier reported detecting approximately 10 short-range ballistic missiles launched from Wonsan, a coastal town in North Korea’s east, on Thursday. The launches marked the country’s first ballistic missile activity in 17 days.

Border Tensions Between North And South Korea Intensify
Relations between the two Koreas have deteriorated further following land mine explosions near their shared border last month that injured three South Korean soldiers.

Seoul accused Pyongyang of placing the mines south of the Military Demarcation Line and called on North Korea to apologise. Pyongyang rejected the allegations and warned that it would retaliate if provoked.

North Korea also threatened last week to restart propaganda broadcasts through loudspeakers and deploy additional weapons systems along the border, raising concerns about a further escalation.

Kim’s Diplomatic Outreach With US Remains Uncertain
North Korea has remained outside negotiations with the United States and South Korea since Kim’s high-profile diplomatic engagement with US President Donald Trump broke down in 2019.

However, Pyongyang has stepped up its weapons testing in recent weeks. The developments are seen by analysts as a possible attempt to strengthen North Korea’s position in any future negotiations, particularly after Trump publicly expressed interest in renewing contact with Kim.

North Korea Strengthens Relations With China And Russia
Kim also made an unexpected visit to a Chinese border town on Saturday, crossing a newly opened bridge and pledging to strengthen relations between the two countries.

The North Korean leader has recently focused on reinforcing ties with China, its key economic lifeline, after spending years deepening cooperation with Russia. Pyongyang has reportedly supplied Moscow with thousands of troops and ammunition, potentially in exchange for economic and military assistance.

Meanwhile, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis arrived in North Korea on Thursday to attend the reopening of Switzerland’s diplomatic office in Pyongyang and hold meetings with North Korean officials. He is scheduled to travel to South Korea on Friday.

The diplomatic visit comes as North Korea continues to expand its military capabilities and navigate strained relations with its regional neighbours and Western countries.