North Korea's Kim Reviews AI-Powered Kamikaze Drones Amid Heightening Tensions**

Kim Jong Un's recent inspection of AI drones signals a strategic military development for North Korea, raising concerns in South Korea and the international community about potential threats stemming from enhanced military capabilities.**

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been observed evaluating new suicide drones, characterized by state media as equipped with artificial intelligence (AI). The images, released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), show Kim alongside military officials, surveying a drone on a runway, with KCNA reporting his approval of increased production efforts.

Experts suggest that this technological leap likely benefited from collaboration with Russia, particularly as North Korea continues to provide military support to Moscow in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. James Patton Rogers, an executive director at the Cornell Brooks Tech Policy Institute and a drone specialist, remarked that this development exemplifies the strengthening relations between North Korea and Russia.

North Korea first acknowledged the existence of these drones, known as loitering munitions due to their self-detonating capacity upon target engagement, back in August 2024. At that time, KCNA indicated an intention to actively integrate AI technology into its weaponry. Rogers expressed concern over these developments, indicating that they should alarm both South Korea and the international community. “North Korea is clearly betting on a drone-centric approach for its military,” he noted. He raised questions about the advancements and reliability of the algorithms employed in these drones, especially regarding their potential to create escalatory scenarios on the Korean peninsula.

Alongside the drone advancements, Kim introduced what appears to be North Korea's first airborne early-warning aircraft, which resembles a conventional commercial plane and incorporates radar technology for combat area surveillance. South Korean officials have noted that additional time is necessary to assess the operational efficacy of this aircraft, with indicators suggesting possible connections to Russian technologies.

Meanwhile, it is alleged that Kim Jong Un's regime has been supplying weaponry to Russia. Reports suggest that Vladimir Putin may reciprocate with technology that could enhance North Korea's missile capabilities. In June of the previous year, a significant agreement was formalized by both leaders, affirming mutual military support in the event of hostilities against either nation. Recent intelligence from South Korea hinted at North Korea dispatching an increased number of soldiers to Russia and redeploying personnel to the frontline in Ukraine, where officials estimate approximately 1,000 North Koreans have lost their lives in combat operations in the Kursk region.