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On the 28th, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stated that “new important tasks will be given to the North Korean Air Force along with new strategic military equipment,” according to a report from the North’s official news agency, the Korean Central News Agency, on the 30th.

As per the report, Kim Jong-un delivered this remark during a speech at an event marking the 80th anniversary of the North Korean Air Force’s establishment, which took place at Wonsan Galma Airport on the 28th. He stated, “The hopes of the party and the country for the Air Force, which has now become involved in nuclear war deterrence, are indeed significant.”

Kim Jong-un added, “The Air Force needs to firmly counter and stop all enemy surveillance actions and possible military provocations that aim to violate the republic’s air sovereignty using strong mental resolve and an aggressive approach.”

The ‘strategic military assets’ referred to by Kim Jong-un were not revealed. Nevertheless, Kim mentioned, “The operational zones of our Air Force extend beyond our sacred airspace, territory, and territorial waters, encompassing ‘grand transformative battle zones’ that are widely deployed.”

North Korea has recently sped up the upgrading of its air force capabilities. In 2023, it introduced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that look similar to the U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk strategic reconnaissance drone and the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned attack aircraft, called ‘Sae Byeol-4’ and ‘Sae Byeol-9,’ and even performed test flights. In March of this year, it showcased an airborne early warning and control aircraft, which seems to be a Russian IL-76 transport plane fitted with radar, and in May, it conducted live-fire exercises with a new medium-range air-to-air missile that resembles China’s PL-12 missile.

Photos published by the Korean Central News Agency on the same day also included items that looked like the Sae Byeol-4 and Sae Byeol-9. A missile similar to the German Taurus long-range air-to-surface missile, used by the South Korean Air Force, was also observed attached to a MiG-29 fighter jet.

Kim Jong-un’s daughter, Ju-ae, was also present at the gathering. This is her first public appearance since she joined Kim Jong-un on his trip to Beijing in early September to participate in the 80th anniversary celebration of China’s military victory. Ju-ae was dressed in a black leather long coat and sunglasses.