North Korea has conducted a fresh round of weapons tests involving tactical ballistic missiles, artillery rockets, and AI-guided precision cruise missiles designed for modern warfare, according to state media.
The tests, supervised by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, were reported on Wednesday by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
According to KCNA, the exercises evaluated the performance of special mission warheads mounted on tactical ballistic missiles, the reliability of long-range multiple-launch rocket systems, and the accuracy of newly upgraded AI-guided tactical cruise missiles.
Kim said the drills demonstrated that the country’s weapons systems and automated launch platforms had been successfully modernised to meet the demands of contemporary warfare.
The North Korean leader also announced plans to deploy the upgraded cruise missiles to artillery units positioned near the border with South Korea. The weapons are reportedly capable of striking targets up to 100 kilometres away using precision navigation and AI-assisted targeting systems.
The range places central Seoul, South Korea’s densely populated capital, within striking distance from the Demilitarised Zone separating both countries.
North Korea has increasingly focused on improving its tactical weapons systems in recent years, alongside the expansion of its nuclear and long-range ballistic missile capabilities.
The development also comes amid allegations that Pyongyang has supplied ballistic missiles and artillery rockets to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine since late 2023. Analysts believe battlefield data from the conflict may have helped North Korea refine its weapons systems.
South Korea’s military confirmed on Tuesday that it had detected multiple projectile launches, including at least one ballistic missile.
