Kim Jong Un calls for AI drone superiority as North Korea tests missiles, rockets

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 30, 2026

Photo courtesy: Reuters

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for his military to achieve dominance in drone technology and accelerate the development of artificial intelligence-powered weapons, as Pyongyang carried out a series of missile launches and weapons demonstrations.

The North Korean leader outlined his ambitions during an exhibition of unmanned aircraft technology on Thursday, October 29, according to the country’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The event featured demonstrations of attack drones, cruise missiles and powerful multiple rocket launchers, highlighting North Korea’s continuing efforts to modernize its military capabilities.

Kim said achieving superiority in drone technology was essential as unmanned weapons become increasingly important in modern warfare.

He also directed greater attention toward integrating advanced AI into military systems, describing it as a priority for developing North Korea’s armed forces.

North Korea showcases drones and rocket systems

According to KCNA, the military demonstration featured one-way attack drones, tactical cruise missiles, multipurpose drones and 600-millimeter multiple rocket launchers.

One-way attack drones, sometimes called suicide drones, are designed to strike targets by detonating on impact.

North Korean state media claimed that drones and cruise missiles successfully struck designated targets during the demonstration.

However, the reported accuracy and performance of the weapons have not been independently verified.

The display followed another round of missile activity detected by South Korea’s military.

On October 29, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported detecting approximately 10 short-range ballistic missiles launched from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

The missiles reportedly travelled about 250 kilometres.

South Korean and US military authorities began analyzing the launches to determine the weapons’ precise characteristics.

It was not immediately clear whether the ballistic missile launches detected by Seoul were directly connected to the weapons demonstration reported by North Korean state media.

AI weapons become a growing priority

Kim’s latest remarks reinforce North Korea’s increasing focus on drones and artificial intelligence as part of its military modernization program.

In November 2024, he ordered the mass production of one-way attack drones, according to North Korean state media.

He subsequently inspected tests involving AI-equipped drones in March 2025 and again emphasized the importance of unmanned technology in September that year.

The renewed push reflects changes in modern warfare, where drones are increasingly used for surveillance, reconnaissance and attacks against military targets.

North Korea has also gained exposure to battlefield operations through its military cooperation with Russia.

According to South Korean intelligence, more than 16,000 North Korean personnel have been deployed to Russia since October 2024 to support its war against Ukraine.

South Korean officials believe the deployment has provided North Korean forces with experience involving drone operations, electronic warfare and coordinated military tactics.

The extent to which that experience has influenced North Korea’s domestic weapons development remains difficult to determine independently.

Missile launches raise regional concerns

The latest launches have added to security concerns on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea’s National Security Office criticized the ballistic missile activity as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions restricting North Korea’s ballistic missile program.

Seoul also said it was maintaining heightened surveillance for additional launches.

The developments come amid continuing tensions between North and South Korea, including disputes over border security and military activities.

North Korea has repeatedly defended its weapons development as necessary for national security, while South Korea and its allies have raised concerns over the expansion of Pyongyang’s missile and military capabilities.

With Kim now placing greater emphasis on unmanned weapons and AI, the latest demonstration signals another area of investment in North Korea’s military program.