World

Kim Urges Rapid Drone Development Amid Weapon Tests

By AP

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un urged the country to accelerate its drone development and observed weapon tests, state media reported on Friday, October 30, 2026. The announcement came as North Korea remains in a standoff with South Korea along their heavily fortified border. Kim said acquiring advanced drones is a top priority and wants to strengthen both conventional and nuclear capabilities. Experts note that North Korean troops sent to Russia to support its war against Ukraine likely gained valuable drone warfare experience from Russian forces. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kim visited an exhibition of attack and other drones on Thursday, October 29, and in a speech at the event stressed the need to seize “absolute superiority in drone technology” and announced unspecified steps to “rapidly expand and strengthen unmanned aeronautical technology.” KCNA reported that North Korea later conducted test launches of various drones, missiles and weapons from 600‑mm‑calibre ultra‑precision multiple rocket launchers. Photos showed Kim watching the soaring weapons or clenching his fist while his teenage daughter clapped beside him. South Korea’s spy agency assessed that the girl, reportedly about 13, is likely Kim’s heir. Earlier, South Korea’s military said it detected the launches of about ten short‑range ballistic missiles from North Korea’s eastern coastal town of Wonsan on Thursday, the first ballistic weapon firings in 17 days. Tensions between the two Koreas have been high since last month’s land mine blasts at their border that wounded three South Korean soldiers. Seoul accused North Korea of burying the mines south of the military demarcation line and demanded an apology, but Pyongyang denied responsibility and warned of retaliation if provoked. North Korea threatened to resume propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts and place new weapons systems along the border last week. The country has pulled out of talks with the U.S. and South Korea after Kim’s high‑stakes diplomacy with U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019. In recent weeks, North Korea has increased weapons testing activities, likely to boost its leverage in potential diplomacy with the U.S. after Trump expressed eagerness to restore talks with Kim. On Saturday, October 24, Kim made a surprise visit to a Chinese border town via a newly opened bridge and vowed to develop bilateral ties. He has taken steps to cement ties with China, North Korea’s economic pipeline, after years of prioritising ties with Russia, including supplying thousands of troops and ammunition, likely in return for economic and military assistance. Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis arrived in North Korea on Thursday, October 29, to see the reopening of Switzerland’s diplomatic office in Pyongyang and meet North Korean officials. He is travelling to South Korea on Friday, October 20. Published – October 30, 2026 09:13 am IST