Seoul [South Korea], November 15 (HBTV): North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has supervised the testing of 'suicide attack' drones and called for the prompt full-scale mass production, state media reported on Friday.

The Korean Central News Agency cited Kim as saying that the drones, also known as loitering munitions, have emerged as 'an essential requirement in military matters nowadays,' according to a report by Yonhap.

'The competition for using drones as the main means of military capabilities...is being accelerated in the world,' he said.

Kim provided on-site guidance for the tests of various types of suicide attack drones, produced by an affiliated institute of the Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex and related companies, the previous day, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. It also published photos of Kim speaking with officials near at least two different types of unmanned aerial vehicles.

According to the KCNA, the 'suicide attack drones' will be used at different striking ranges and are designed to 'precisely attack any enemy targets on the ground and at sea.' The tests involved the drones accurately hitting targets after flying along various preset tactical routes, the agency added.

North Korea first disclosed a performance test of suicide attack drones in August, which was also overseen by Kim on-site.

This development comes amid recent military exercises by the United States, South Korea, and Japan in international waters near North Korea, with participation from ships and aircraft.

The US Indo-Pacific Command, in a statement on Tuesday, said the operation, dubbed 'Freedom Edge,' continues to demonstrate the defensive posture and unbreakable will of Japan, South Korea, and the US to promote trilateral multidomain interoperability and protect freedom for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, including the Korean Peninsula.

Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law ratifying the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty between Russia and North Korea, which includes a provision committing both nations to mutual military assistance in the event of an attack on either side.   

(ANI)