North Korea has claimed to have tested an AI-piloted missile capable of altering its flight path at low altitude, though South Korea said the projectile could have been detected and intercepted.
The missile was launched near the eastern coastal city of Wonsan early on Saturday and travelled more than 700km, according to South Korea’s military. North Korean state media said the exercise was designed to train troops operating a “hypersonic strategic weapon system”.
Kim Jong Un attended the launch with his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, and his wife, Ri Sol Ju. Images released by state media showed the group watching the missile rise in a burst of orange flame, while officials applauded.
Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, claimed the technology allowed the missile to “change its flight orbit at a low altitude”. North Korean officials presented the weapon as part of the country’s strategic offensive capabilities.
Following the test, Kim Jong Un said: “Through today’s launching drill, the strategic missile soldiers have fully demonstrated their professional qualifications and counterattack posture.”
He added: “We must continue our responsible efforts nonstop to constantly and repeatedly make the enemy recognise the reliability and fatality of our strategic offensive means.”
South Korea disputes missile claims
Seoul rejected the suggestion that the weapon could not be stopped, saying its forces and those of the United States retained the ability to track and intercept it.
“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,” South Korea’s defence ministry said.
The ministry urged Pyongyang to halt actions that increase tensions on the Korean Peninsula and said the launch breached United Nations Security Council resolutions.
North Korea disclosed the precise coordinates where the missile struck its target. Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification said the level of detail indicated confidence in the system.
“This time, the North disclosed the coordinates down to decimal points – equivalent to a precision of roughly 30 centimetres,” he said. “It shows Kim’s stance that there is nothing to hide and an expression of confidence.”
Kim Ju Ae, believed to be about 13, was first presented to the public in 2022 and has since appeared with her father at weapons tests, military parades and factory openings. South Korea’s spy agency has described her as the most likely successor to Kim Jong Un, citing her increasingly prominent role at major state and military events.
North Korean state media has described her as Kim’s “most beloved” or “respected” child. The National Intelligence Service has also said it is examining whether Kim has a son, but stated that, if one exists, he is not currently in line to succeed him.
