North Korea announced the testing of a new strategic medium-range missile, claiming that artificial intelligence technologies were used in its development. The official statement came just hours after South Korea reported the launch of a ballistic missile that flew over 700 kilometers. The new weapon was described by Kim Yo Jong — the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and one of the most influential figures in the North Korean leadership. According to her, the missile is capable of changing its flight trajectory at low altitudes, and artificial intelligence has been integrated into its control system. However, North Korean authorities did not clarify which specific artificial intelligence technologies were used and what tasks they perform. No independent confirmation of these claims has been provided either. Kim Yo Jong stated that, thanks to the new capabilities, it is impossible to avoid a strike from such a missile. She also claimed that, according to Kim Jong Un's assessment, similar technologies would not be developed by other countries in the coming years. The topic of artificial intelligence in the military sphere in North Korea has been raised before. Last month, Kim Jong Un emphasized the need to enhance the use of AI technologies in national weapons systems. The test took place against the backdrop of another escalation in relations between the two Koreas. Just a few days earlier, the South Korean army demanded an apology from Pyongyang for an explosion in the demilitarized zone that injured three South Korean soldiers. Seoul blamed North Korea for the incident. In response, North Korean authorities denied any involvement in the incident and once again sharply criticized South Korea, effectively casting doubt on the prospects for resuming dialogue between the two countries. Thus, the testing of the new missile was accompanied not only by loud statements about military technologies but also by a new wave of tension on the Korean Peninsula.
