Kim Jong Un Pushes for Rapid Expansion of North Korea’s Drone Technology

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for a rapid expansion of the country’s drone technology while overseeing tests of various weapons, state media reported Friday, amid rising tensions with South Korea along their heavily fortified border.

Developing advanced drone capabilities has become a key priority for Kim as Pyongyang seeks to strengthen its conventional and nuclear military capabilities. Experts believe North Korean troops deployed to Russia to support its war against Ukraine may have gained valuable experience in drone warfare through cooperation with Russian forces and exposure to battlefield operations.

According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim visited an exhibition on Thursday showcasing attack drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles, highlighting recent developments in the country’s unmanned aviation technology.

Addressing the exhibition, Kim stressed the need to achieve “absolute superiority in drone technology” and called for measures to rapidly expand and strengthen the country’s unmanned aviation capabilities, KCNA reported.

Following the event, North Korea conducted test launches involving various drones, missiles and weapons systems, including its 600mm-calibre ultra-precision multiple rocket launchers. Images released by KCNA showed Kim observing the tests, while his teenage daughter, who was accompanying him, was seen applauding. South Korea’s intelligence agency reportedly assesses that the girl, believed to be around 13, is a potential successor to her father.

South Korea’s military said it detected the launch of approximately 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the eastern coastal town of Wonsan on Thursday. The launches marked North Korea’s first ballistic missile tests in 17 days.

Tensions between the two Koreas have intensified following landmine explosions last month near their border that injured three South Korean soldiers. Seoul accused Pyongyang of planting the mines south of the Military Demarcation Line and demanded an apology. North Korea has denied responsibility and warned of retaliation if provoked.

Last week, Pyongyang also threatened to resume propaganda broadcasts through loudspeakers along the border and deploy additional weapons systems in the area.

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 collapsed in 2019. In recent weeks, Pyongyang has stepped up its weapons testing, apparently seeking to strengthen its position in possible future negotiations after Trump expressed interest in restoring dialogue with Kim.

Meanwhile, Kim made an unexpected visit to a Chinese border town on Saturday, travelling across a newly opened bridge and pledging to strengthen bilateral relations. The visit comes as North Korea seeks to reinforce ties with China, its main economic lifeline, following several years of closer engagement with Russia. Pyongyang has supplied Moscow with thousands of troops and ammunition, reportedly in exchange for economic and military assistance.

Separately, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis arrived in North Korea on Thursday to mark 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.