North Korea tests attack drones, cruise missiles and rocket launchers at weapons demonstration

Centre · 2North Korea test-fired attack drones, cruise missiles and a multiple rocket launcher at a weapons demonstration, state media reported on Friday 30 October. 1 2 Centre · 1The demonstration featured suicide attack drones, multipurpose drones firing air-to-surface missiles, cruise missiles and 600mm multiple rocket launchers, the last described by KCNA as an ultra-precision system called "sniper" that opened fire before the public for the first time. KCNA said the drones and cruise missiles hit an island target with 100 per cent accuracy; this is North Korea's own claim. 3 Centre · 2Leader Kim Jong Un called for faster development of drone and artificial intelligence technology for military use. According to KCNA, he said the aim to seize "absolute superiority in the drone technology is an indispensable option in the light of the ever-changing patterns of modern warfare", and that "Strength precisely means peace and peace is guaranteed only by strength." 1 2

Centre · 1Anadolu Agency, citing KCNA, said Kim spoke at an exhibition titled "Unmanned Aeronautical Technology Development-2026", told scientists to achieve breakthroughs in unmanned aviation and AI for national defence, and said integrating AI into unmanned weapons systems must be a "top-priority" in modernising the armed forces. 4 Right · 1The Associated Press, carried by Arab News, said KCNA reported Kim visited an exhibition of attack and other drones on Thursday, and that the test-launches of drones, missiles and 600mm rocket launchers were held later to mark the event. KCNA photos showed Kim watching the weapons rise while his teenage daughter, whom South Korea's spy agency assesses is likely his heir, clapped beside him. 5 Centre · 2The event came a day after South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said they detected "around a dozen short-range ballistic missiles fired from the Wonsan area of North Korea towards the East Sea", also known as the Sea of Japan. It was not immediately clear whether those launches were linked to the demonstration. 1 2

Centre · 1South Korea's Unification Ministry said the exhibition appeared to be North Korea's first dedicated exclusively to drones, and South Korean media reported it displayed more than 30 kinds of drones, including stealth drones and first-person-view attack drones. 6 Centre · 2The missiles flew about 250km. Seoul's military said South Korea and the United States were conducting a detailed analysis of their specifications and that it had stepped up surveillance for possible additional launches. Seoul's National Security Office said the launches violated UN Security Council resolutions and called them "serious acts that do nothing to help manage the current situation". 2 1 Centre · 2The AP described the launches as about 10 short-range ballistic missiles and as North Korea's first ballistic firings in 17 days (since 12 October, per Anadolu, which also cited Japanese reports); it said experts believe North Korean troops sent to Russia have gained drone-warfare expertise from the Russian forces, and that it is unclear how far the North's drone programme has progressed. 3 6

Centre · 2The demonstration follows a series of recent North Korean weapons tests, including a new precision-guided torpedo system and an intermediate-range hypersonic missile, both said to employ AI technology. 1 2 Centre · 2Tensions are also high over a landmine explosion on the border that wounded three South Korean soldiers. A joint Seoul-UN investigation earlier this month concluded North Korea planted the mines over a year ago; Seoul called it a clear violation of the Armistice Agreement and demanded an apology, which the North has mockingly dismissed. 1 2 Right · 1The AP reported that Pyongyang has denied responsibility for the mine blasts and warned of retaliation if provoked, while Seoul says the mines were buried south of the military demarcation line. 5

Left · 1The Hindu, running AP copy, described the mine blasts as last month's and said that last week North Korea threatened to resume propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts and place new weapons systems along the border. 7 Centre · 2Last week Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's sister, said the North would place loudspeakers on standby along the border "within days" and had put unspecified "new counter means" on alert. South Korea then proposed military talks to confirm the border's precise location and discuss restoring communication channels; Pyongyang has not responded. 1 2 Centre · 2On Friday North Korea's Defence Ministry condemned a joint US-South Korea air exercise as "provocative" and warned it was increasing the danger of an armed conflict; Anadolu quoted it as saying North Korea's forces would "thoroughly deter threats with force". South Korea's military said the two-week Freedom Flag drill, involving fighter jets, helicopters and drones, would run until November 6. 6 3

Centre · 2The coverage also notes concern that US President Donald Trump's overtures to North Korea could leave Seoul sidelined in potential nuclear talks; Trump has seemingly downplayed the chance of a summit while saying his relationship with Kim is "very good". 1 2 Right · 1The AP said North Korea has stepped up weapons testing in recent weeks, likely to gain leverage in potential diplomacy with the US. It also noted Kim's surprise visit to a Chinese border town on Saturday as he cements ties with China, and the arrival in Pyongyang of Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis to see the reopening of Switzerland's diplomatic office. 5 Centre · 1KCNA said on Saturday that Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, who arrived on Thursday, met North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and discussed promoting dialogue between the countries. 6