Kim Jong Un inspected North Korea’s new ‘AI suicide attack drones,’ state media KCNA reports. The drones, also known as loitering munitions, are designed to crash into targets. Kim has approved plans to ramp up their production. Analysts suggest Russia is aiding the rogue state’s tech advancements. James Patton Rogers calls the drone development “fruits” of closer ties between North Korea and Russia. North Korea first revealed the drones in August 2024, vowing to integrate AI. Rogers warns South Korea and the international community should be concerned about Pyongyang’s growing capabilities. He believes Russian assistance likely contributed to the drone’s development. Alongside the drone, Kim also revealed what is thought to be North Korea’s first airborne early-warning aircraft. South Korean officials are evaluating the aircraft’s effectiveness, suspecting Russian involvement in its components. Kim is accused of supplying Russia with weapons, in return for space technology that may advance North Korea’s missile program. Putin and Kim signed an agreement in June pledging mutual aid in case of aggression. Last month, South Korea’s intelligence agency reported North Korea sending soldiers to Russia and redeploying others to the Kursk region in Ukraine.