North Korea held an exhibition on the development of unmanned aerial technology on Thursday, displaying and test-firing attack drones, missiles and multiple rocket launchers, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Friday (30 October). North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the exhibition and called for faster development of drone and artificial intelligence (AI) technology for military use.

Kim stressed that the nature of modern warfare was changing rapidly and that North Korea must strive for absolute superiority in drone technology. He said: “Strength precisely means peace and peace is guaranteed only by strength.”

A photograph released by KCNA on 30 October shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (in a black suit) viewing an unmanned aerial technology exhibition.（Reuters）
A photograph released by KCNA on 30 October shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (in a black suit) viewing an unmanned aerial technology exhibition.（Reuters）

North Korean state media reported that the exhibition featured a range of strategic and tactical weapons. Weapons demonstrated at the event included suicide attack drones, air-to-ground missiles launched from multipurpose drones, cruise missiles and 600mm large-calibre multiple rocket launchers. The report said drones and cruise missiles accurately struck targets on an island.

Professor Lim Eul-chul of the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at South Korea’s Kyungnam University said Pyongyang was drawing on lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East to transform its military with drones and artificial intelligence. North Korea’s comprehensive display of weapons was also intended to rule out the possibility of dialogue or negotiations with South Korea.

An official North Korean photograph clearly captures the moment a drone precisely strikes a military vehicle on the ground, triggering a fierce explosion and fire.（Reuters）
An official North Korean photograph clearly captures the moment a drone precisely strikes a military vehicle on the ground, triggering a fierce explosion and fire.（Reuters）

Pyongyang has recently conducted a series of weapons tests, including test launches of a new precision-guided torpedo system and an intermediate-range hypersonic missile. Both weapons are said to use artificial intelligence technology.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Thursday that North Korea had launched more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area towards waters to the east at noon that day. The missiles flew about 250km.

South Korea’s military said South Korea and the US were conducting a detailed analysis of the missiles’ technical specifications. It added that it had stepped up surveillance and was closely monitoring for any further launches.