Kim gets a blast from suicide drones

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un got a demonstration of new exploding drones designed to crash into targets, as the United States and South Korea engage in joint military drills.

Test photos showed a white drone with X-shaped tails and wings supposedly crashing into and destroying a target resembling South Korea's main K-2 battle tank.

Korean Central News Agency said Saturday's test involved various types of drones built to fly different ranges to attack enemy targets on land and sea and flew along various routes before accurately hitting test targets.

After the test, Kim pledged to spur the development of drones that explode on impact, conduct reconnaissance or attack targets underwater to boost his country's war readiness, saying the military should be equipped with them "as early as possible." KCNA said.

A joint chiefs of staff spokesman said Seoul was closely examining the North's drone capabilities.

Some analysts suggest the drones resemble Russia's Zala Lancet-3 drones, and Seoul said it was looking into the possibility Russia had helped the North acquire its drone capability.

ASSOCIATED PRESS