North Korea has launched a bold plan to strengthen its military by developing AI-based combat systems across all branches. The General Staff Department of the Korean People’s Army ordered every service to prepare strategies for integrating artificial intelligence. This initiative aims to transform the country’s military posture and reinforce its defense capabilities with advanced technology.
The order specifically directed the Army, Navy, Air Force, Special Operations Forces, and Strategic Force to create AI-focused modernization plans. Each branch must submit proposals that align with their combat roles and organizational structures. Importantly, these strategies will include both manned and unmanned systems to improve efficiency and speed during conflicts.
The Army received instructions to design AI-based command structures for infantry, artillery, and mechanized units. These plans will support coordination between human-led and unmanned forces, allowing smoother battlefield operations. Meanwhile, the Navy must test new combat exercises involving drones, submersible systems, and nuclear counterattack responses. By doing so, the Navy hopes to improve flexibility and strengthen maritime defense capabilities.
At the same time, the Air Force will prepare operational scenarios featuring mixed formations of AI-guided and piloted aircraft. These scenarios include tactical drills that focus on faster decision-making and greater accuracy. Similarly, the Special Operations Forces will design AI-supported missions for unconventional warfare. Their plans cover drone-led assassinations, infiltrations, demolitions, and amphibious operations.
The Strategic Force, however, received the most sensitive mission. Officials ordered the unit to craft a four-step plan for integrating AI into nuclear weapons management. The strategy includes storage, command systems, operational control, and nuclear counterattack planning. This goal reflects Pyongyang’s ambition to enhance its nuclear readiness through advanced technology.
Through this initiative, leaders seek to create a unified military structure that responds quickly to diverse threats. The plan highlights the regime’s intent to modernize while showcasing progress before the next Party Congress. Yet many officers reportedly feel overwhelmed. They struggle with limited preparation time and the significant pressure to deliver results.
Despite these challenges, North Korea continues to emphasize innovation as a key defense priority. By accelerating development, the regime hopes to present itself as a technological power. The focus on North Korea’s AI weapons signals a strategic shift that could reshape the regional security landscape. Consequently, neighboring countries will likely monitor Pyongyang’s advances closely and adjust their defense strategies.
