Kim Jong Un Calls for Artificial Intelligence and Automation in North Korea’s Weapons Systems
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for greater use of artificial intelligence, automation and advanced technology in the country’s military weapons systems during a series of visits to major munitions factories. The inspections highlighted North Korea’s continuing effort to expand military production, modernize artillery and develop increasingly automated offensive and defensive weapons.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has placed renewed emphasis on artificial intelligence in military technology, calling for higher levels of AI integration in offensive and defensive combat systems during visits to several major weapons manufacturing facilities.
According to North Korean state media, Kim inspected major munitions industrial enterprises between September 16 and 18, examining production activities and issuing instructions on the expansion and modernization of the country’s defense industry. His comments focused particularly on artillery, production capacity, automation, artificial intelligence and the modernization of military manufacturing.
The visits come as North Korea continues to develop missiles, multiple-launch rocket systems, drones, automated weapons and other military technologies. Recent North Korean military exercises have also demonstrated an effort to combine different weapons systems into integrated strike operations.
Kim said North Korean artillery should possess what state media described as the country’s most concentrated, destructive, massive and versatile offensive capability while fulfilling two functions: deterrence and wartime operations.
The North Korean leader also instructed military factories to increase production capacity, modernize technical processes, raise the level of artificial intelligence used in offensive and defensive combat systems, improve artillery armor and automation, and create better production conditions.
The latest statements provide another indication that artificial intelligence and automation are becoming increasingly prominent themes in North Korea’s military modernization strategy.
September 20, 2026 | 7:26 pm
