Seoul – North Korea announced on Saturday that it had used artificial intelligence technology in testing a medium-range ballistic missile. This came hours after South Korea announced that Pyongyang had launched a ballistic missile.
Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said in a statement that the missile launched today is capable of changing its flight path at low altitudes. She also noted the integration of artificial intelligence technology, according to Agence France-Presse.
Ability to change flight path
Kim Yo-jong explained that the missile possesses the ability to change its trajectory while flying at low altitudes. She attributed this capability to artificial intelligence technology, which Pyongyang claims has been integrated into the missile’s system.
North Korean authorities did not provide further technical details about the nature of the system used or how it operates. They also did not disclose the missile’s range during the test.
South Korean announcement of the launch
The North Korean announcement came hours after Seoul reported that Pyongyang had launched a ballistic missile. This was North Korea’s latest missile test.
The test comes amid ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. This follows Seoul’s demand for an apology from Pyongyang over a border mine explosion, for which North Korea was blamed, that injured three South Korean soldiers.
Escalation in missile capabilities
The announcement of the integration of artificial intelligence adds a new dimension to North Korea’s missile development capabilities. This is particularly evident in the missiles’ ability to change course mid-flight.
Not all the details Pyongyang released about the test could be independently verified. Meanwhile, South Korea and the United States continue to monitor North Korea’s missile and military activities.