North Korean Workers’ Party General Secretary Kim Jong-un led performance tests of suicide attack drones and ordered “mass production.” It has been three months since the self-destruction drone performance test was inspected last August.
On the 15th, the Labor Party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported, “On the 14th, Comrade Kim Jong-un led local performance tests of various suicide attack-type drones produced by research institutes and enterprises under the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology Association.”
Secretary General Kim expressed satisfaction with the tactical and technical characteristics and specifications of the developed unmanned aerial vehicles and ordered, “We will establish an affiliated production system as soon as possible and begin full-scale mass production.”
“The competition to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a means of military power is accelerating around the world,” he said. “With low production costs and simple production processes, it is becoming easier to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a component of strike power in new areas.” He emphasized that development is an ‘essential requirement’ from a military perspective.
The newspaper claimed that in this test, various unmanned aerial vehicles flew on tactical routes with different strike ranges and made ‘precision strikes‘ on targets. It is said that these drones can be used both on land and at sea.
On this day, General Secretary Kim evaluated that there was ‘possibility and potential to produce and introduce various unmanned aerial vehicles’ and said, “We will find the prospect of combining and applying new and promising tactical methods in terms of tactical law to suit the needs of modern warfare.”
The newspaper reported that on this day, General Secretary Kim said, “We are continuing to supplement the line to perfectly combine unmanned armed equipment systems with ‘operational plans’ and ‘principles of engagement,’” and “expressed the Party Central Committee’s plan for the development of unmanned armed equipment.” “He presented an important strategic policy for its implementation,” the report said.
The ‘Unmanned Aerial Technology Alliance’ visited by General Secretary Kim is a place that has not been highlighted in the North Korean media so far, and the newspaper said about it, “The Unmanned Aerial Technology Alliance is a place where the plenary meetings of the Party Central Committee and the Party Central Military Committee give decision orders to the defense logistics sector.” “We are achieving remarkable results in promoting the things we have done,” he said. It appears to be an organization that will develop new technologies in the unmanned aerial vehicle sector and take charge of mass production in the future.
Last August, Secretary General Kim provided field guidance to the Academy of Defense Development’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Research Center and urged it to produce more various types of self-destructive UAVs, nuclear torpedoes, and attack-type unmanned aerial vehicles.
According to photos released by the newspaper that day, a drone blew up a tank and a car. Additionally, some of the drones appear to be similar to those unveiled last August.
On the same day, General Secretary Kim provided on-site guidance to the local industrial factory construction site in Jaeryeong-gun, South Hwanghae Province and ordered, “We must enter production and produce results as soon as construction is completed.”
Secretary General Kim toured the construction sites of food factories and daily necessities factories, inspecting construction patterns and equipment manufacturing and assembly conditions.
As the end of the year approaches, General Secretary Kim said, “It is important for all constructors to increase their
“The quality level must be completely guaranteed,” he emphasized.
In addition, “This project should not be purely about summarizing performance,” he said. “We must manufacture at the highest quality level and responsibly conduct installation and test runs to ensure full operation and full load of all facilities from the first stage of factory operation.” He emphasized.
At the same time, it is said that directions and methods to solve problems related to operational preparation were also presented.
The newspaper reported that Cho Yong-won, Kim Yong-su, Kim Yo-jong, Park Seong-cheol, and People’s Army General General Park Gwang-ju accompanied the Jaeryeong-gun field guidance, and were greeted by local industrial minister Cho Yong-cheol, the responsible secretary of the Jaeryeong County Committee of South Hwanghae Province, the chairman of the People’s Committee, and commanders of military units mobilized for construction.
This year, General Secretary Kim presented the ‘Local Development 20 As this is the first year, it appears that they are directly inspecting this project and urging results.
What are the potential consequences of North Korea’s increased focus on military drone technology?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Military Drone Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our feature interview, where we delve into significant developments in global security and defense technology. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Sarah Choi, a leading expert in military drone technology. Dr. Choi, thank you for being here.
Dr. Choi: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss this vital topic.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Recently, North Korea’s state media reported that Kim Jong-un is pushing for the mass production of suicide attack drones. This follows performance tests he led, which seemed to demonstrate the drones’ combat capabilities. Given the global race for UAV technology, what does this mean for military strategy in the region?
Dr. Choi: It underscores a significant shift in modern warfare paradigms. North Korea is not just ramping up its capabilities but also signaling to the world that it’s serious about using UAVs as a core component of its military strategy. The low production costs and the relative ease of deploying drones make them an increasingly attractive option for militaries, especially in asymmetric warfare scenarios.
Editor: The report emphasized the drones’ ability to operate on land and at sea. How critical is this versatility for military operations?
Dr. Choi: Extremely critical. The ability for drones to operate in various environments allows for more flexible and adaptive strategies. It means that North Korea could potentially deploy these drones in diverse combat scenarios—land invasions, maritime warfare, and even against unconventional threats. This versatility can elevate North Korea’s tactical options significantly.
Editor: Kim Jong-un stated that the development of these drones is an “essential requirement” from a military perspective. From your understanding, how do you interpret this urgency?
Dr. Choi: This urgency reflects a recognition of the changing dynamics in military conflict. Drones are becoming indispensable tools for surveillance, precision strikes, and force multiplication. For a state like North Korea, which faces significant power disparities against more technologically advanced nations, rapidly developing and deploying such technology can help level the playing field.
Editor: The article also mentioned that Kim expressed satisfaction with the drones’ tactical and technical characteristics. What specific capabilities are critical for these types of drones?
Dr. Choi: For suicide attack drones, critical capabilities include precision targeting, reliability under various operational conditions, and the ability to evade counter-drone measures. Additionally, having a robust guidance system, whether GPS-based or employing advanced autonomous navigation technologies, is crucial for ensuring successful missions.
Editor: Given this emphasis on developing advanced drone technology, what implications does this have for international relations in the region, particularly with South Korea and the United States?
Dr. Choi: The advancement of North Korean UAV capabilities escalates tensions, particularly with South Korea and the U.S. It could lead to an arms race in UAV technology across the region. Additionally, it may prompt preemptive measures or counter-strikes, which could further destabilize the situation. Countries that feel threatened may argue for increased missile defense systems or enhanced capabilities of their military forces.
Editor: In light of these developments, what can be done to mitigate risks associated with the proliferation of UAV technology in unstable regions like North Korea?
Dr. Choi: Diplomatic channels must remain open, emphasizing dialogue around arms control and non-proliferation. Engaging North Korea in discussions about responsible drone use could pave the way for greater transparency and decrease the likelihood of conflict. Furthermore, collaborating on international standards for drone technology could help manage the risks of deployment and misuse.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Choi, for your valuable insights. It’s clear that the developments in North Korea concerning drone technology carry significant weight on multiple levels—from military strategy to international relations.
Dr. Choi: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. These discussions are crucial as the landscape of global security continues to evolve.
Editor: And thank you to our viewers for joining us today. Stay tuned for more updates on crucial developments around the world.