Nov 15, 2024 - World

North Korea orders mass production of exploding drones

Ivana Saric

Kim Jong Un speaks during a press confernce, June 19, 2024, in Pyongyang, North Korea. — Kim Jong Un speaks during a press conference on June 19 in Pyongyang, North Korea. Photo: Contributor/Getty Images

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has ordered the mass production self-detonating suicide drones after overseeing a guided test of the weapons, state media reported Friday.

Why it matters: North Korea's efforts to bolster its military capabilities come weeks after it deployed thousands of troops to assist Russian forces in the war against Ukraine.

For both Russian and Ukrainian forces, attack drones have played a critical role in how the war has been waged.

Driving the news: Kim oversaw a demonstration of the drones' capabilities, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), per AP.

He then emphasized the need to "build a serial production system as early as possible and go into full-scale mass production."
Kim also stressed that race to use drones militarily is ramping up around the world, Reuters reported, citing KCNA.

Flashback: Kim previously oversaw a test of exploding drones back in August.

The big picture: News of the weapons test comes as American, South Korean and Japanese forces carried out a a three-day joint military exercise this week.

Kim's call for mass suicide drone production also followed Pentagon press secretary Gen. Pat Ryder's warning Tuesday that Russian forces were training the deployed North Korean troops in various military capabilities, including drones.

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North Korea orders mass production of exploding drones

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