North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch of a ballistic missile that allegedly uses artificial intelligence

 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch of a ballistic missile that allegedly uses artificial intelligence

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his daughter, oversaw the launch of a ballistic missile that he claimed uses artificial intelligence, state media reported Sunday.

Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader's sister, announced that the missile, launched Saturday, "is capable of changing its flight path at low altitudes and incorporates artificial intelligence technology," without providing further details.

The South Korean military detected the launch from an area near the eastern coastal city of Wonsan early Saturday morning, noting that the missile traveled more than 700 kilometers.

"Through today's test launch, the strategic missile soldiers demonstrated their professional qualifications and readiness to fully launch a counterattack," Kim said after overseeing the launch, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

He added, "We must continue our responsible efforts without pause to make the enemy constantly and repeatedly aware of the reliability and lethality of our strategic offensive capabilities."

Images released by the Korean Central News Agency showed a missile launching into the sky amidst a glow of orange flames.

Another image showed Kim smiling, flanked by his daughter Ju Ae and his wife Ri Sol Ju, who appeared to be clapping in celebration.

Ju Ae, who first appeared in public in 2022, is considered the most likely successor to her father, according to South Korea's intelligence agency, which based its assessment on her growing role in major official and military events.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the launch was conducted to train soldiers operating a "hypersonic strategic weapon system."

This move came days after the South Korean military demanded an apology from Pyongyang for a landmine explosion last month that injured three South Korean soldiers in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), an incident for which Seoul blamed the North.

Pyongyang denied responsibility for the explosion and on Friday called South Korea "despicable."