North Korea conducted major weapons tests on June 23, 2026 after leader Kim Jong Un observed the trials and called for an offensive posture intended to create constant uneasiness among enemies, state news agency KCNA reported. Seoul said on Friday that it will train 500,000 drone operators to use drones as personal weapons, expanding its drone capacity in response to the North’s growing capabilities. The tested systems included a special mission ballistic missile warhead, an upgraded rocket launcher with extended range and a self‑propelled gun‑howitzer, the Associated Press reported. KCNA said the warhead was designed to inflict fatal damage on major enemy targets such as airfields, ports and power facilities, and Kim said the results demonstrated progress in firing capabilities along the southern border. Analysts suggested the upgrades enable North Korea to strike across the whole of South Korea. The United States maintains about 28,500 troops at its bases in South Korea, and Pyongyang has sought to strengthen its military since diplomatic talks stalled in 2019. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said former President Donald Trump told him the time had come to pay attention to the North Korea issue. Defence Minister Ahn Gyu‑back said the army will train 500,000 “drone warriors” capable of using drones like personal firearms, noting urgent need to respond to the evolving threat and that North Korea is receiving technological assistance from Russia. President Lee announced plans to develop five defence firms worth $650 million by 2030. The escalation raises questions about the future of inter‑Korean relations and the scale of South Korea’s drone program.