SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea has carried out tests on exploding drones designed to target and crash into specific objects, as reported by state media on Friday. This latest military exercise comes at a time when the United States, South Korea, and Japan are conducting joint military drills that feature advanced fighter jets and a U.S. aircraft carrier operating in adjacent international waters as a show of force against North Korea.
According to North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), photographs published show leader Kim Jong Un alongside military officials examining at least two different designs of unmanned aerial vehicles. These operational drones feature unique X-shaped tails and wings reminiscent of models previously showcased in August, which Kim also inspected during another weapons demonstration.
The KCNA report indicates that the drones flew various paths before accurately hitting targets, with images displaying the destruction of a BMW sedan and older tank models. Kim expressed his contentment with the advancements in drone technology and emphasized the urgency to establish a mass production system at the earliest opportunity, underlining the increasing importance of drones in contemporary warfare.
Additionally, KCNA quoted Kim suggesting that drones are inexpensive to produce and versatile for numerous military functions. However, the report did not specify if Kim directly addressed South Korea, which is presumably a target for these drones.
In a recent development, North Korea accused South Korea of deploying drones to release anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang, threatening a forceful response should such actions continue. The South Korean military has not confirmed whether these allegations are true.
The situation in the region has become more tense, as Kim showcases advancements in his nuclear and missile capabilities, which include various nuclear-capable systems aimed at South Korea, alongside intercontinental ballistic missiles potentially capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. Moreover, there are reports of Kim allegedly dispatching military supplies and personnel to Russia to aid President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, raising alarms in Seoul about possible exchanges of technology that could enhance North Korea’s military capabilities.
Beyond these growing nuclear threats, Kim has engaged in various psychological and electronic attacks on South Korea, including releasing thousands of balloons to litter the South and interfere with GPS signals around strategic regions, especially close to the South’s busiest airport.
As tensions rise, North Korea is expected to be a central topic at a trilateral meeting involving South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation sessions in Peru this week. Discussions held on the sidelines of APEC on Thursday between South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken focused on “serious concerns” regarding the strengthening of ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, particularly the transfer of North Korean troops to aid Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.