SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a performance test of drones developed in the country, state media KCNA said on Monday.

On Saturday, Kim visited the Drone Institute of North Korea's Academy of Defence Sciences, and viewed a successful test of drones correctly identifying and destroying designated targets after flying along different preset routes, KCNA said.

Kim called for the production of more suicide drones to be used in tactical infantry and special operation units, such as underwater suicide attack drones, as well as strategic reconnaissance and multi-purpose attack drones, KCNA said.

Kim also called for more tests of the drones' combat application, to equip North Korean military with them as early as possible, KCNA said.

Pyongyang has ramped up its tactical warfare capabilities involving short-range missiles and heavy artillery that are aimed at striking the South, after having made dramatic advances in longer-range ballistic missile and nuclear programs.

Kim also inspected the construction sites of various North Korean industrial factories on Saturday and Sunday, KCNA added.

  - Reuters