North Korean drone technology development

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the ‘Unmanned Aerial Technology Development-2026’ exhibition, which South Korean officials identified as the country’s first dedicated event for unmanned aerial technology. During the exhibition, Kim called for the rapid expansion of drone technology and the integration of advanced artificial intelligence into unmanned weapon systems, stating that achieving absolute superiority in this field is an indispensable choice due to the changing nature of modern warfare.

The event featured over 30 types of equipment, including stealth UAVs and first-person view combat drones. North Korea conducted live-fire demonstrations involving tactical suicide drones, multi-purpose UAVs, and tactical cruise missiles. These demonstrations reportedly included strikes on simulated targets such as South Korean guard posts, K9 self-propelled howitzers, and U.S. M1 Abrams tanks.

Additionally, the demonstrations involved the firing of more than ten 600mm multiple rocket launcher systems. State media claimed that drone-launched missiles hit island targets with 100% accuracy. Observers suggest that North Korea is increasingly integrating drone tactics and production infrastructure, potentially influenced by recent global conflicts.