The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has test-fired attack drones, missiles and a multiple rocket launcher at a weapons demonstration, state media KCNA reported on Friday, as leader Kim Jong Un called for faster development of drone and AI technology for military use.

The event came a day after Seoul said Pyongyang had fired "around a dozen" short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast, though it was not immediately clear whether the launches were linked to the demonstration.

At the event, Kim stressed the "aim to seize the absolute superiority in the drone technology is an indispensable option in the light of the ever-changing patterns of modern warfare," according to KCNA.

He added: "Strength precisely means peace and peace is guaranteed only by strength."

The demonstration featured suicide attack drones, multipurpose drones firing air-to-surface missiles, cruise missiles and 600mm multiple rocket launchers. KCNA said the drones and cruise missiles hit an island target with 100 percent accuracy.

The event follows a slew of recent weapons tests by Pyongyang, including a new precision-guided torpedo system and an intermediate-range hypersonic missile, both of which were said to employ AI technology.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said its military detected around a dozen short-range ballistic missiles fired from the Wonsan area of the DPRK towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

The missiles flew about 250 kilometres, and "South Korea and the United States are conducting a detailed analysis of their exact specifications", Seoul's military said, adding it had stepped up surveillance of possible additional launches.

Seoul's National Security Office, meanwhile, said the launches violated UN Security Council resolutions, labelling them "serious acts that do nothing to help manage the current situation". (AFP)



Edited by Cecil Wong