2024-11-15 06:48:00
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea has tested an explosive drone designed to hit targets, state media reported Friday, and the country’s leader Kim Jong Un called for speeding up mass production.
The country’s latest military demonstrations came as the United States, South Korea and Japan participated in joint military exercises in nearby international waters involving advanced fighter jets and a U.S. aircraft carrier to demonstrate their defense strategies against North Korea.
North Korea’s Central News Agency (KCNA) published photos of Kim Jong Un talking to officials near at least two different types of drones. Some have X-shaped tails and wings, similar to drones revealed by Pyongyang in August, when the North Korean leader inspected another demonstration of a drone that exploded on impact.
The drones flew different routes and accurately hit their targets, state news agency ACNC reported. He posted images showing a BMW sedan destroyed and vintage tanks blown up.
Kim Jong Un was pleased with the weapons development process and stressed the need to “establish a mass production system as soon as possible and start large-scale mass production,” while noting that drones have become crucial in modern warfare.
ACNC quoted Kim as saying that drones are easy to manufacture at low cost and can be used in a range of military activities. The report did not mention whether the president was directly talking about his rival South Korea, which is apparently set to be targeted by drones.
Last month, North Korea accused South Korea of using its own drones to drop anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets over its capital, Pyongyang, and threatened to respond with force if such flights were carried out again. South Korea’s military declined to confirm whether its neighbor’s claims were true.
Tensions have increased in the region as Kim Jong Un boasts of his advanced nuclear and missile program, which includes multiple nuclear weapons capable of targeting South Korea and intercontinental ballistic missiles that can reach the U.S. mainland.
Kim Jong Un will also send military equipment and troops to Russia to support his President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. Seoul fears Pyongyang could gain access to Russian technology in exchange for further development of its nuclear arsenal.
In addition to escalating the nuclear threat, Kim Jong Un has launched psychological and electronic warfare against South Korea, launching thousands of balloons, littering the country with trash and jamming GPS signals in border areas near the country’s main airport.
South Korean officials say North Korea will be a key issue at a trilateral summit hosted by South Korean President Yun Seok-yeol. US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru this week.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting on Thursday and expressed their “strong concerns” about the growing ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, particularly North Korea’s deployment of troops to support the North. The U.S. State Department says Russia is at war.
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This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
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What are the implications of North Korea’s focus on explosive drones for the military strategy of South Korea and its allies?
**Interview with Dr. Sarah Kim, North Korean Military Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Kim. North Korea recently tested explosive drones and called for mass production. Could you give us an overview of what this means for the region?
**Dr. Kim:** Thank you for having me. This recent drone test signifies a significant development in North Korea’s military capabilities. By focusing on explosive drones, Kim Jong Un is signaling a dedication to modern warfare tactics, which prioritize unmanned systems. The emphasis on mass production indicates their intent to scale up these capabilities quickly, likely in response to perceived threats from joint military exercises conducted by the U.S., South Korea, and Japan.
**Editor:** The timing of this development coincides with joint military exercises by South Korea, the U.S., and Japan. How do you see this influencing the security dynamics in the region?
**Dr. Kim:** The joint exercises are crucial for deterrence; however, they also escalate tensions with North Korea, which sees these drills as direct threats. Kim’s drone advancements may be a counter-strategy aimed at showcasing their ability to strike back. This creates a heightened sense of insecurity and could lead to an arms race, wherein both sides continue to enhance their military capabilities.
**Editor:** Kim Jong Un mentioned that drones are cost-effective and versatile. How might this influence North Korea’s military strategy moving forward?
**Dr. Kim:** Drones offer a unique advantage as they can conduct various missions at a lower cost compared to traditional weapons systems. North Korea is likely to focus on developing a broad range of drone capabilities, from reconnaissance to offensive strikes, and may deploy them in asymmetric warfare scenarios. This diversification could complicate military planning for South Korea and its allies.
**Editor:** There are concerns about Kim Jong Un’s intention behind these advancements. Do you think they could be aimed at South Korea specifically?
**Dr. Kim:** It’s possible. Given the recent accusations from North Korea regarding South Korean propaganda efforts, there’s a precedent for retaliatory threats. While Kim’s statements could be interpreted as a warning to South Korea, the ambiguous nature of his comments serves to instill fear in both regional adversaries and international observers.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Kim. Your insights help illuminate the implications of North Korea’s drone developments on regional security.
**Dr. Kim:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important topic. It will be essential to monitor future developments closely as this situation evolves.
