Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s leader, has expressed his desire for the nation to engage in large-scale production of unmanned attack aircraft, commonly referred to as suicide drones, according to state media. This development has sparked alarm among observers, who believe these drones could potentially be supplied to Russia for deployment in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Reports from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reveal that Kim Jong Un recently paid a visit to a testing facility for these drones. The drones are engineered to carry out precision strikes on both land and sea targets, with the tests reportedly showing the drones hitting their targets with accuracy.

Kim Jong Un emphasized the need for establishing a system for serial production of these drones as soon as possible and to initiate full-scale mass production. Although the report did not indicate any intent to sell these drones to Russia, several experts believe North Korea could consider such a move.

According to Bruce Bennett, a researcher at RAND Corporation, the ongoing conflict serves as a catalyst for North Korea’s drone development. He suggested that Russia’s need for affordable weaponry could be met by North Korea’s production capabilities. Bennett also mentioned the possibility that Russia might have aided North Korea’s drone production by sharing drone technology.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observes a drone test at the Drone Institute of the Academy of Defense Sciences, Aug. 24, 2024.

Bennett also raised concerns that North Korea’s ability to mass-produce drones could pose a potential danger to South Korea.

Given the strengthening bond between Moscow and Pyongyang, reports of successful suicide drone tests are worrisome, said Bruce Klingner, a member of the Heritage Foundation based in Washington. Klingner revealed that North Korea has already supplied Russia with artillery shells, ballistic missiles, and more than 10,000 troops.

Klingner also pointed out that the recent ratification of a comprehensive security treaty between Russia and North Korea could lead to an increase in the transfer of military technology from Moscow to Pyongyang.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department voiced its anxiety over the intensifying relationship between the two nations, labeling the situation and related arms transfers as a trend that should alarm anyone interested in maintaining peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, upholding the global nonproliferation regime, and backing the Ukrainian people.

Article edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.