Kim Jong Un orders ‘mass production’ of suicide drones: report

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the testing and “mass production” of suicide drones, claiming that the introduction of such drones around the world requires an urgent update of military theory, according to the Korean Central News Agency ( KCNA).

The agency released photos showing Kim with the drones and quoted him as saying that competition to use such suicide drones is increasing around the world.

It would not be the first time that North Korea has launched a suicide drone test.

Pyongyang first unveiled these drones in August, with experts saying the capability may be thanks to the country’s budding alliance with Russia.

The nuclear-armed country has ratified a landmark defense treaty with Moscow and is accused of sending thousands of troops to Russia to support the war in Ukraine. This has prompted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to warn about the possible transfer of sensitive Russian military technology to North Korea.

Kim on Thursday oversaw tests of drones designed to hit both land and sea targets produced by North Korea’s Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

“He underlined the need to build a series production system and move to large-scale mass production as early as possible,” KCNA said.

The unmanned drones are designed to carry explosives and deliberately crash them into enemy targets, effectively acting as guided missiles.

During Thursday’s test, the drones hit targets “precisely” after flying along predetermined paths, KCNA reported.

“The suicide bombing drones that will be used within various battle ranges are intended to carry out a mission to precisely attack enemy targets on the ground and in the sea,” the agency said.

Kim said the drones were an “easy-to-use part of combat power” due to their relatively low production costs and wide range of applications, according to KCNA.

He said the North has “recently attached importance” to the development of unmanned hardware systems and their integration into the country’s overall military strategy.

(With input from agencies)