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2014 by the Ministry of National Defense of a small drone reportedly found in Samcheok

North Korea announced plans to develop high-tech weapons that are automated, precise, and lightweight, the state-run Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Feb. 13.

During a meeting of the political bureau of the Central Committee on Feb. 10, the Korea Workers’ Party (KWP) adopted a resolution commemorating the 70th anniversary of the party’s establishment.

While Kim Jong-il was ruling the country, the KWP politburo meetings were largely ceremonial. Since Kim Jong-un took power, however, they have been used to decide major issues of the state.

In a resolution containing seven sections, North Korea focused on independently strengthening its military. It vowed to keep developing its own “powerful high-tech military equipment that would be more precise, lightweight, automated, and intelligent, in line with the needs of warfare today.”

With North Korea openly referring to its successful launch of a long-range missile in Dec. 2012 and to making lightweight, precision weapons, this could be a call to develop and enhance its nuclear weapons and missiles.

“North Korea’s capacity to develop high-tech missiles remains unknown. We will probably have to wait and see whether this is anything more than rhetoric,” a South Korean military officer said.

The resolution also declared that a large festival would be organized to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the KWP on Oct. 10 as well as the 70th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial occupation. “Service members in the army, air force, anti-air force, and strategic force will take part in a military review and parade in Pyongyang,” North Korea said, suggesting that a new weapon could be unveiled on the anniversary of the party’s establishment.

Previously, the Chosun Sinbo reported that serious discussion is underway about holding a general assembly of the KWP, something that has not happened for 35 years. If the general assembly is held, it could be an opportunity to issue an official endorsement of the Kim Jong-un regime, analysts say.

The Chosun Sinbo is the official newspaper of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), which is affiliated with North Korea.

By Park Byong-su, senior staff writer

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