According to state news agency KCNA, on August 24, Kim Jong-un visited the Drone Institute of the Korean Academy of Defense Sciences and witnessed the successful test of a drone. The drones accurately identified and destroyed designated targets after flying along pre-programmed routes.
Mr. Kim Jong-un called for the production of more suicide drones to equip tactical infantry units and special operations units, including suicide drones under water, as well as multi-purpose strategic reconnaissance and attack drones, KCNA added.
The suicide drone can hover in the air and be ready to attack when a specific target is identified, then dive into the target with an integrated warhead.
Photos released by North Korean state media show at least four different types of drones, some of which were launched with the help of small rocket engines.
South Korea's Unification Ministry said this was the first time Pyongyang publicly announced its suicide drones. During 2022, several North Korean drones crossed the border into South Korea and even flew into the no-fly zone around the Presidential Office in Seoul.
South Korea has announced it will deploy laser weapons to shoot down North Korean drones this year, becoming the first country in the world to deploy and operate this type of weapon in the military.
Additionally, some skyscrapers in Seoul are now equipped with anti-aircraft guns on their roofs to deal with aerial threats.
