North Korean suicide drone flying toward its target (Seoul=Yonhap News) On the 20th, North Korea's Korean Central Television aired footage of drone strikes conducted during an infantry and tank joint tactical training exercise held at the Pyongyang 60th Training Base on March 19. The video shows the drones taking off, flying toward their targets, and successfully hitting and exploding on impact. [Korea Central Television screenshot] 2026.3.20
North Korea appears to be dismantling existing facilities and preparing for a large-scale military drone demonstration at the Panghyon Airbase in North Pyongan Province, NK News, a U.S.-based outlet specializing in North Korea, reported on the 15th (local time).

After analyzing data from the private satellite imagery firm Planet Labs, NK News determined that aircraft blast walls and dirt mounds previously located along the taxiways and runway of the Panghyon Airbase were removed between June 18 and July 5.

In their place, two six-row bleachers capable of seating hundreds of people have been installed facing the east end of the runway, and a multi-story building, presumably for VIPs such as Chairman Kim Jong Un, has been newly constructed between the seating stands.

It is understood that the construction is currently in the final stages.

NK News suggested that this is indicative of North Korea preparing for a large-scale military drone demonstration for high-ranking officials.

The analysis suggests it is highly likely that military authorities began dismantling and refurbishing aging facilities ahead of an event expected to receive extensive coverage in state media.

In particular, there is speculation that the event could be held to coincide with July 27, the anniversary of the 1953 Korean War Armistice Agreement.

North Korea commemorates this day as "Victory Day in the Great Fatherland Liberation War," claiming victory against the United States.

There are also forecasts that North Korea may attempt to demonstrate small suicide attack drones to showcase the drone technology it has acquired through its recent participation in the war in Ukraine on the side of Russia.

It is known that the North Korean military has accumulated operational experience with drones since encountering Iranian-made Shahed unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) during the Ukraine war.

In March of this year, the new unmanned strategic reconnaissance aircraft, Saetbyol-4 and Saetbyol-9, were captured side-by-side for the first time at the Research, Test, Development, and Engineering (RTD&E) facility for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at the Panghyon Airbase.

There is also the possibility that the North Korean Air Force may hold an air show using fighter jets stationed around the runway.

Satellite imagery analysis firm SI-Analytics previously reported signs that fighter jets deployed at the Panghyon base had recently completed maintenance at a factory within the base. [Yonhap News]