North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile Amid Rising Tensions

North Korea launched an unspecified ballistic missile towards the East Sea, as reported by South Korea's military. The incident follows recent calls from Kim Jong-un for increased production of 'suicide drones'. Analysis is ongoing.

North Korea launched an unidentified ballistic missile towards the East Sea on Thursday, according to Yonhap News Agency, citing South Korea's military. The Joint Chiefs of Staff provided no further details, stating that analysis of the incident is ongoing.

This follows the July 1 launch of a ballistic missile by Pyongyang, amid escalating tensions in the Korean peninsula. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has urged the development and production of more 'suicide drones' to bolster war preparedness, with Yonhap reporting that Kim oversaw a drone performance test on August 24.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the North Korean Supreme Leader supervised the test, which was organized by the Drone Institute of the Academy of Defence Sciences. The drones followed preset courses and destroyed designated targets, demonstrating their ability to attack enemy targets on the ground, in the air, and at sea.

Kim emphasized the need to develop and produce more suicide drones for use in tactical infantry, special operations units, strategic reconnaissance, and multi-purpose attacks. He also highlighted the importance of integrating artificial intelligence technology into drone development. Photos published by KCNA, and carried by Yonhap, showed two white suicide attack drones hitting and destroying mock targets resembling K-2 tanks, marking the first public revelation of such weaponry in North Korea.

(With inputs from agencies.)