North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un Orders Mass Production Of Suicide Drones

Kim Jong-un reviewed North Korea's suicide drone test. (Source: KCNA)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un guided the test of the suicide drone and ordered mass production of the air weapons, saying the introduction of such unmanned aircraft around the world required an urgent military-theoretic update, state media said on Friday.

Also known as itinerant ammunition, such weapons have been widely used in wars in Ukraine and in the Middle East.

"(Kim) underlined the need to build a serial production system as early as possible and carry out full-scale mass production," state news agency KCNA said.

Leader Kim had previously overseen trials of a suicide drone earlier this year, amid rapid military cooperation with Russia, raising questions about whether he received technical assistance from Moscow to develop it.

Leader Kim said competition for using drones for military purposes is increasing worldwide, with military authorities likely recognizing their success in conflict on a wide scale.

"Such an objective change urges updating many parts of military theory, practice and education," KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

North Korea itself is known to have sent drones across the border to the South and flew for hours in important areas including the capital, Seoul, including over the no-fly zone around South Korea's presidential office.

This prompted South Korea to deploy weapons to shoot down North Korean drones.

North Korea and Russia recently ratified a comprehensive strategic partnership signed by their leaders in June, which includes a joint defense pact.