North Korea Missile Tests Highlight AI-Guided Warfare Push
North Korea has tested a range of tactical ballistic missiles, artillery rockets and AI-guided precision cruise missiles under the supervision of leader Kim Jong Un, according to the KCNA state news agency.
The latest tests underline Pyongyang’s continued effort to modernise its conventional and tactical weapons systems. Moreover, the country has steadily upgraded its arsenal while pledging to deploy advanced weapons near the border with South Korea.
AI-Guided Cruise Missiles Tested
KCNA said the launches assessed the effectiveness of a “special mission warhead” fitted to tactical ballistic missiles. In addition, the tests evaluated the reliability of long-range multiple-launch artillery rockets and the precision of AI-guided tactical cruise missiles.
Kim Jong Un stated that the exercises proved both the weapons systems and automated launch platforms had been successfully improved. According to KCNA, the upgrades were designed to match the demands of modern warfare and increase battlefield effectiveness.
The report added that the tests confirmed the combat readiness of cruise missiles intended for deployment with artillery units stationed near the border with South Korea. These missiles reportedly use precision navigation and AI-guided control systems capable of striking targets up to 100 km away.
South Korea Remains Within Range
Central Seoul, South Korea’s densely populated capital, lies well within 100 km of the Demilitarised Zone separating the two Koreas. Consequently, the reported range of the cruise missiles has heightened regional security concerns.
North Korea has repeatedly described South Korea as its “primary foe”. Furthermore, Pyongyang has abandoned its long-standing policy of pursuing eventual reunification with the South.
Analysts noted that this appears to be the first time North Korea has publicly claimed to incorporate artificial intelligence technology into missile systems. The reported AI capability is believed to involve technology that maps targets and guides missiles using real-time data.
Experts Question Sophistication Of AI System
Yang Uk, a military expert at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said the technology likely relates to AI-assisted target recognition and missile guidance. He also noted that North Korea had previously claimed to use AI technology in drone systems.
Meanwhile, Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification said the system probably combines upgraded digital guidance technology with automatic target recognition functions. However, he stressed that the sophistication of the technology could not be independently verified from the KCNA report.
North Korea has also supplied Russia with ballistic missiles and artillery rockets since late 2023. Moscow has reportedly used those weapons in the war in Ukraine. As a result, analysts believe Pyongyang may have gained valuable battlefield data that could support further weapons development.
South Korea’s military said on Tuesday it detected the launch of multiple projectiles, including at least one ballistic missile.
With inputs from Reuters