Last Updated on October 4, 2026 by YeJahan
YEJAHAN DESK
PYONGYANG: (Oct 4): North Korea has claimed it has developed an AI-piloted missile that leaves “no way to avoid” an attack, following a fresh weapons test conducted off the country’s eastern coast.
The weapon was launched early on Saturday morning from the coastal city of Wonsan. According to South Korea’s military, the projectile travelled more than 700 kilometres (435 miles) before striking its target. State media released photographs of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watching the launch alongside his wife, Ri Sol-ju, and his young daughter, Ju-ae.
‘Smart’ Orbit Claims Disputed by Seoul
Pyongyang has heavily promoted the technological advancements of the new missile system. Kim Yo-jong, the leader’s influential sister, claimed the integration of artificial intelligence allows the missile to alter its flight path at low altitudes, making it impossible to evade.
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State news agency KCNA quoted Kim as saying the drill demonstrated the “counterattack posture” of his strategic forces, adding that Pyongyang would continue efforts to ensure its enemies recognise the “fatality” of its offensive capabilities. In an unusual move, state media published the exact coordinates of the impact site—a detail analysts suggest was intended to demonstrate pinpoint accuracy. Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, noted that disclosing coordinates down to decimal points indicated a high level of military confidence.
However, defense officials in Seoul quickly dismissed the claims of an unavoidable weapon. South Korea’s defence ministry stated that the missile remained well within the detection and interception capabilities of joint South Korean and US defensive systems. The ministry condemned the launch as a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions and urged Pyongyang to cease actions that escalate regional instability.
Succession Speculation Intensifies
The high-profile presence of Kim Ju-ae at the launch site has renewed international focus on the regime’s long-term succession plans. Believed to be around 13 years old, she has become a regular fixture at major military parades, weapons tests, and state events since her public debut in 2022.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) currently views her as the most likely successor to her father, pointing to her elevated title in state media as Kim’s “most beloved” child. While intelligence agencies have attempted to verify whether Kim has an older son, current assessments suggest that if he exists, he holds no prominent standing within the political or military hierarchy.
Health Rumours Cloud Leadership
The test takes place against a backdrop of persistent scrutiny regarding the 42-year-old dictator’s physical health. The NIS recently reported that Kim Jong-un is “extremely obese” and exhibits symptoms associated with high blood pressure and heart disease.
Speculation surrounding his health has persisted since 2020, when a prolonged absence from public life sparked intense rumors regarding cardiovascular surgery. The leader’s lavish lifestyle stands in sharp contrast to the chronic food shortages affecting the wider North Korean population. While international observers frequently highlight widespread domestic food insecurity, accounts from luxury hospitality staff—including chefs who catered the 2019 Hanoi summit—confirm that Mr Kim maintains an expensive diet featuring imported wagyu beef, caviar, and foie gras.
Copyright YeJahan News Network, 2026
