SEOUL, South Korea (AP) 鈥� North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed major and called for the military鈥檚 鈥渄eadly and destructive offensive posture鈥� to be bolstered, state media reported Friday, as South Korea announced it would drastically boost its drone warfare capabilities.
The development comes as tensions remain high on the Korean Peninsula, with Kim pushing to strengthen both nuclear and conventional while refusing to return to talks with South Korea and the United States.
The tests watched by Kim on Thursday were meant to evaluate the power of a 鈥渟pecial mission” warhead for a tactical ballistic missile, an upgraded multiple rocket launch system and the hit accuracy of shells with an extended firing range of a self-propelled gun-howitzer, the official Korean Central 小萝莉影视 Agency said.
KCNA cited Kim as saying results of the tests proved the technological progress achieved in a push to bring about a change in the fire posture on southern border areas, implying the tested weapons systems target sites in South Korea including U.S. military bases there.
Kim said North Korea’s self-defense policy includes an objective to strengthen “the deadly and destructive offensive posture to make no enemy dare to confront,鈥� KCNA said. 鈥淭o make the enemies feel constant uneasiness and fear is just an important aspect of the exercise of war deterrent.鈥�
KCNA said the special mission warhead tested is aimed at 鈥渋nflicting fatal damage on major targets including airfields, ports and power facilities of the enemy.鈥�
Later Friday, South Korea’s Defense Ministry announced plans to beef up its drone forces, citing growing military threats by North Korea which allegedly received technology The plans include developing long-range exploding drones, acquiring more than 20,000 low-cost reconnaissance and attack drones and training the country’s entire 500,000 troops as 鈥渄rone warriors.鈥�
鈥淣orth Korea is also currently receiving technology transfers from Russia, so there鈥檚 an urgent need for us to respond proactively to the changing nature of warfare and the evolving operational environment,鈥� Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told reporters.
Ahn said the plans reflect how low-cost loitering munitions like drones are becoming crucial in modern warfare, including in Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine that also involved thousands of fighting alongside Russian troops. Ahn said the South Korean military plans to have 500,000 鈥渄rone warriors鈥� across the army, navy, air force and marines who operate drones 鈥渆asily like personal firearms.鈥�
North Korea has been focusing on enlarging its nuclear and missile arsenals since Kim’s high-stakes diplomacy with U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019. He’s later underscored the need to build sophisticated conventional weapons as well.
On Tuesday, North Korea commissioned that Kim touted as a symbol of the country鈥檚 growing naval and nuclear capabilities. is North Korea鈥檚 most advanced warship.
In response to to restart diplomacy, Kim has suggested that talks can resume if the U.S. drops its demand for denuclearization of North Korea as a precondition of diplomacy. Kim has taken a harsher posture on South Korea, calling it his country’s and building more military structures along the rivals’ heavily fortified border.
Kim has boosted his diplomatic footprint in past years by expanding with his support of its war against Ukraine. Earlier this month, Chinese President visited North Korea for the first time in seven years for a meeting with Kim.
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