Key facts
- North Korea demonstrated suicide attack drones, cruise missiles, and a 600-mm multiple rocket launcher.
- Kim Jong Un called for absolute superiority in drone technology and expansion of unmanned aerial capabilities.
- Kim urged breakthroughs in unmanned aerial technology and defense AI.
- The demonstration occurred alongside North Korea's 17th ballistic missile launch of the year.
North Korea staged a weapons demonstration featuring suicide attack drones, cruise missiles, and a super-large multiple rocket launcher on Thursday, state media reported Friday. The event, held in connection with an exhibition on unmanned aerial technology, was attended by leader Kim Jong Un. The demonstration occurred on the same day South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff detected around 10 short-range ballistic missiles launched from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea. Kim stressed the importance of unmanned aerial technology in modern warfare and urged rapid expansion of the country's drone capabilities, as well as breakthroughs in defense artificial intelligence.