North Korea's Kim Jong Un Oversees Drone Test, Orders AI Development

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed a tactical drone test and instructed wider implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in military technology, according to state media reports on Friday.

Official images released by Korean Central News Agency depicted an unmanned aerial vehicle launching and subsequently destroying its designated target.

The state media reported that the exercise successfully demonstrated the "excellent combat effectiveness of Kumsong-series tactical attack drones," with Kim expressing "great satisfaction" regarding the performance.

Kim reportedly stated that drones are becoming a "major military activity asset," and classified their development as a "top-priority and important task in modernizing the armed forces of the DPRK."

The North Korean leader also commanded "efforts to rapidly developing the newly-introduced artificial intelligence technology" along with "expanding and strengthening" drone production capabilities.

Hong Min, an analyst at Seoul's Korea Institute for National Unification, noted that Kim views drone technology as essential for achieving "great power status."

"The drones raise concerns because they offer low-cost, high-efficiency threats: autonomous mission execution, improved accuracy and lethality, suitability for mass production, and enhanced tactical flexibility," Hong explained.

Pyongyang introduced its first attack drones last year, and experts have suggested that this new capability might be connected to North Korea's growing alliance with Russia.

Analysts also believe that North Korean troops deployed to fight alongside Russian forces are gaining valuable modern warfare experience, particularly regarding battlefield drone utilization.

Lim Eul-chul from South Korea's Kyungnam University suggested that AI integration could enable North Korean drones to "operate even if GPS or communications signals are jammed, relying on pre-trained algorithms."

North Korea has previously tested GPS jamming attacks against South Korean assets, affecting numerous ships and civilian aircraft.

"The AI drive has gained momentum since 2024, drawing on Russian technology transfers and lessons from the war in Ukraine," Lim stated.

According to South Korean and Western intelligence agencies, North Korea deployed over 10,000 soldiers to Russia in 2024, primarily to the Kursk region, along with artillery shells, missiles, and long-range rocket systems.

Seoul has reported that approximately 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed and thousands more wounded while fighting for Russia.