North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a test of suicide drones and directed their mass production, emphasizing the need for updated military strategies due to the growing global use of such technology, state media reported on Friday.

Earlier this year, Kim supervised a similar test of these drones amid increasing military collaboration with Russia. This raised speculation about whether Moscow might be providing North Korea with technical assistance to develop the weaponry.

Suicide drones, also referred to as loitering munitions, have seen extensive use in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and in regions across the Middle East.

“(Kim) underscored the need to build a serial production system as early as possible and go into full-scale mass production,” the state-run KCNA news agency reported.

Kim noted that global competition for military drone technology is intensifying, with defense officials worldwide recognizing their effectiveness in a range of conflicts.

“Such objective change urgently calls for updating many parts of military theory, practice and education,” Kim was quoted as saying by KCNA.

North Korea has flown drones across the border into South Korean territory, including into key areas like Seoul and even over the no-fly zone near the South Korean presidential office.

These incursions have led South Korea to deploy countermeasures to intercept and destroy the North Korean drones.

In recent months, North Korea and Russia finalized a broad strategic partnership formalized in June. This agreement includes a mutual defense pact between the two nations.

North Korea has also sent troops to assist Russia on its western front in the war against Ukraine. According to South Korean and U.S. officials, North Korean soldiers have been actively engaged in combat alongside Russian forces.

{Matzav.com}