North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the launch of a missile that state media claimed used artificial intelligence to adjust its flight trajectory during a military exercise.
The missile was launched from an area near the eastern coastal city of Wonsan early Saturday and travelled more than 700 kilometres, according to South Korea’s military.
North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, said the launch was conducted to train soldiers operating what it described as a “hypersonic strategic weapon system.”
Kim, who supervised the exercise, said the launch demonstrated the capabilities and readiness of the country’s strategic missile forces.
“Through today’s launching drill, the strategic missile soldiers have fully demonstrated their professional qualifications and counterattack posture,” Kim said, according to an English-language KCNA report.
He added that North Korea would continue developing its strategic offensive capabilities.
“We must continue our responsible efforts nonstop to constantly and repeatedly make the enemy recognise the reliability and fatality of our strategic offensive means,” Kim said.
North Korean state media also claimed that artificial intelligence technology enabled the missile to alter its flight path at low altitude, making it difficult for an adversary to intercept.
Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, had earlier claimed that the technology meant there was “no way to avoid” the missile once launched.
However, South Korea rejected the assertion, saying the missile remained within the detection and interception capabilities of the country and the United States.
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“South Korea and the United States maintain a firm combined defence posture and assess that the missile recently launched by North Korea was well within the detection and interception capabilities of the defensive assets operated by the two allies,” Seoul’s Defence Ministry said.
“We urge North Korea to immediately cease actions that heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula,” the ministry added, saying the launch violated United Nations Security Council resolutions.
KCNA also disclosed the precise coordinates where the missile reportedly struck its target, a level of detail analysts described as an indication of Pyongyang’s confidence in the weapon’s capabilities.
Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification told AFP that North Korea had provided the coordinates to decimal points, representing precision of approximately 30 centimetres.
“It shows Kim’s stance that there is nothing to hide and an expression of confidence,” Hong said.
Images released by KCNA showed the missile ascending with a burst of orange flame.
Another image showed Kim smiling alongside his daughter, Ju Ae, and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, who was seen applauding during the event.
Ju Ae, who was first publicly introduced by North Korean authorities in 2022, has since appeared increasingly frequently at major state and military events.
South Korea’s intelligence agency has identified her as the most likely successor to Kim, citing her growing public prominence.
The latest launch comes amid continued tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with North Korea maintaining its development of advanced missile and military technologies despite international restrictions.