North Korean leader calls for broader military AI use

Kim Jong-un has toured key defense industry enterprises and inspected weapons systems North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for greater use of AI and automation in the country’s offensive and defensive weapons, while urging manufacturers to boost production.

Kim made the remarks while inspecting several defense enterprises Wednesday to Friday, accompanied by senior officials and his influential sister, Kim Yo-jong.

Photos released by state media show him visiting facilities that produce drones and artillery systems, including massive 600 mm multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).

Known outside North Korea as the KN-25, the system resembles the US-made HIMARS but has evolved beyond a conventional MLRS, effectively functioning as a short-range ballistic missile launcher.

“Our artillery should have the most concentrated and destructive, massive and versatile offensive capability and responsibly perform the two missions of deterring and fighting war,” the North Korean leader said, as cited by KCNA.

Read more Russia and North Korea open first cross-border road bridge (VIDEO) Kim also called for broader use of AI in “offensive and defensive combat weapon systems,” as well as improving armor and automation of artillery weaponry, state media reported.

He also instructed manufacturing plants to ramp up production and improve the “conditions and environment for production.” The North Korean leader reportedly “expressed great satisfaction,” finding that most of the plants are meeting the production goals to fulfill the “huge plans” outlined by the Party Central Military Commission, the top military affairs and planning body of the country.

Prior to joining the nuclear club in the mid-2000s, North Korea relied on a vast artillery park for deterrence, as the South Korean capital, Seoul, is within reach of conventional artillery.

Pyongyang has recently worked on modernizing and expanding its artillery park, with some of the missile systems in its arsenal also doubling as nuclear delivery systems.