Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has supervised performance tests of "suicide attack drones" equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) technology, directing their development as a long-term project in line with trends in modern warfare, the North's state media reported Thursday. Kim gave the instruction while guiding defense science research projects of the Unmanned Aeronautical Technology Complex and the detective electronic warfare research group Tuesday and Wednesday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim "made an important evaluation of the military effectiveness and strategic value of the strategic reconnaissance drone with improved performance and the suicide attack drones with the introduction of new artificial intelligence," as reported by KCNA. The innovative performance of a new-type strategic reconnaissance drone was proven at the test, showcasing its detective ability capable of tracking and monitoring different strategic targets and enemy troops' activities on the ground and the sea.
The KCNA report also highlighted that the tests "fully demonstrated ... the striking capability of suicide drones" for use in various tactical attack missions. Kim emphasized the importance of the newly developed technology, stating that it would play a significant role in monitoring potential threats and collecting vital intelligence. This advancement is expected to enhance the army's capability of conducting intelligence-gathering operations and neutralizing the enemy's combat means across various missions.
Kim stressed that the unmanned equipment and AI fields should be "top-prioritized," underscoring the importance of shaping a state long-term plan for promoting rapid development in keeping with the trend of modern warfare.