North Korea’s military leadership is accelerating plans to weave artificial intelligence into its arsenal, from drones to nuclear forces. Earlier this month, the General Staff Department of the Korean People’s Army ordered all branches—the Army, Navy, Air Force, Special Operations, and Strategic Force—to draft proposals for AI-powered combat systems. These plans include integrating manned and unmanned systems, enhancing remote-control capabilities, and creating unified operations that leverage AI technology. The military has been told to submit detailed strategies by September, with trials scheduled for winter training beginning December 1.

Each branch has been assigned specific AI-related tasks. For instance, the Army is developing AI-based command systems for infantry, mechanized units, and artillery forces, while the Navy, Air Force, and Strategic Forces will pursue their own modernization agendas. The initiative is part of a five-year strategy leading up to the Ninth Party Congress, signaling Kim Jong Un’s intent to make AI central to future warfare. This technological push raises serious concerns for regional and global security, given North Korea’s history of weapons proliferation and nuclear threats.

Scripture warns of nations “beating their plowshares into swords” (Joel 3:10) as end-times conflict escalates, and North Korea’s drive to merge AI with weapons of mass destruction highlights this reality. The pursuit of artificial intelligence for warfare reflects humanity’s increasing reliance on technology apart from God, seeking ultimate power through machines instead of bowing to the sovereignty of the Creator. As Jesus foretold, “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6), and these developments point to the growing instability of our times. For believers, such advancements serve as both a warning and a reminder that Christ’s return draws nearer.