In modern warfare, drones play an indispensable role, as evidenced by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Even the highly isolated regime of North Korea has begun training its forces to use drones. According to reports from US media, North Korea has incorporated drone training into its annual civil defense military exercises. However, without sufficient drones, such training remains theoretical and cannot be put into practice.
The move to include drone training in North Korea’s civil defense military exercises shows that drones are playing an increasingly important role in the country’s weapons arsenal. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un expressed his desire to begin mass-producing “suicide” drones during a visit to a drone testing site last month. These drones explode upon reaching their target.
Drone training has now expanded to include thousands of ordinary civilians in North Korea’s civil defense forces (semi-military units that defend towns). Most members of the civil defense forces are reserve personnel who previously served in the military, making it mandatory for all able-bodied men and women.
However, it seems that the number of drones available for training is far from sufficient. A member of the civil defense forces in Ryanggang Province in North Korea revealed, “Without actual drones, we can only conduct theoretical training.”
Nevertheless, the drone training, which focuses on the practical application of drones on the battlefield and how to operate them, is expected to be supplied to various brigades, cities, counties, and civil defense forces in North Korea next year.
Experts believe that North Korean soldiers supporting Russia in the conflict against Ukraine may already be using drones provided by Russia. The winter training period for the civil defense forces runs from December to March, with reserve personnel being called up for 15 days of training.
Some privately find such training to be cumbersome. A military personnel in Ryanggang Province disclosed that Kim Jong-Un has secretly ordered all soldiers who can be deployed into combat positions to learn how to use drones.
According to the source, North Korean troops began receiving drone training last year, and now this training is also being provided to the civil defense forces. He emphasized, “No matter how well-armed a military is politically and ideologically, it cannot win modern warfare without excellent military technology.”
North Korea is also seeking ways to enhance its domestic drone production capabilities. Several universities in the country started offering drone-related courses last year and began research and development this year, although R&D and production are not the same.
The source mentioned that there have been many cases in North Korea where development was successful but production failed. Therefore, it is difficult to determine when military drones will be actually deployed and to what extent.
Previously, North Korea accused South Korean drones of flying over Pyongyang in October and subsequently bombing a section of the roadway and railway connecting to South Korea, escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korea’s Ministry of Unification condemned North Korea’s actions of destroying the road as “extremely abnormal” and a “regressive” move that violated previous agreements between North Korea and South Korea.