(C) Medium

Pyongyang, DPRK – North Korea's official media announced on Monday, November 24, that the country has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered weather forecasting system, marking a significant step in its ongoing pursuit of "informatization" and technological advancement. While the true capabilities of the new system remain unconfirmed by external observers, the move underscores Pyongyang's commitment to integrating advanced technologies into critical national services, particularly following recent major natural disasters.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the State Hydro-Meteorological Administration (SHMA), which functions as North Korea's equivalent of a national weather service, has successfully developed and deployed a "unified weather forecasting system." The agency touted the new mechanism as "intelligent, automated, and precision-enhanced," claiming that the application of AI technology across all stages of the forecasting process significantly boosts accuracy and substantially shortens the time required to generate predictions.

A 'Scientific and Technological Guarantee' against Natural Disasters 

According to the KCNA, this integration of AI establishes a "scientific and technological guarantee" that enables the country to "swiftly respond to crises related to natural disasters, including floods (keunmul)." The emphasis on disaster preparedness is particularly salient, given the severe flooding damage the nation experienced in areas near the Amnok River (Yalu River) in late July of the previous year. Following these incidents, the regime has consistently stressed the importance of proactive, science-based measures for disaster prevention.

The SHMA's new system was recognized domestically as one of the "Top 10 Outstanding Information Technology Products" of the current year, the KCNA reported, signaling the government's official endorsement and promotion of the technology.

North Korea's Sustained Investment in AI 

The adoption of this AI-driven forecasting system aligns with a broader, persistent effort by North Korea to develop and apply artificial intelligence technology across various sectors. The country's commitment to this field was formally embedded in its legal framework in April 2019 when the constitution was amended to include specific articles mandating "informatization" (Article 26) and strengthening "scientific and technological power" (Article 27).

North Korean media has periodically provided glimpses into this domestic AI push. For instance, reports in February highlighted the AI Technology Research Institute at Kim Il Sung University, even showing students utilizing tools akin to those that power ChatGPT. Furthermore, in July, the state media confirmed that North Korean students and researchers were being dispatched to countries like Russia to conduct advanced AI studies, suggesting an external component to their development strategy.

This internal push has not gone unnoticed outside the DPRK. For instance, during a parliamentary confirmation hearing in South Korea last July, Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young mentioned that he had been informed of Pyongyang's efforts to develop a "North Korean version of ChatGPT."

Unverified Performance and Infrastructure Challenges 

Despite these claims of technological breakthrough and high-level political backing, the actual performance level and operational capabilities of the SHMA's new AI system remain entirely unverified by international standards.

A significant point of speculation among international observers concerns the essential infrastructure required to support sophisticated AI operations. The running of large-scale AI models, such as those used in complex weather modeling, typically demands substantial, reliable resources, including large-scale data centers and a steady supply of high-performance semiconductor chips. The existence of such robust data centers within North Korea and the country's ability to maintain a stable, verifiable supply chain for the necessary advanced semiconductors—often restricted by international sanctions—have not been confirmed.

Thus, while the announcement by the KCNA represents a bold claim of scientific self-reliance and progress in disaster management technology, the true, practical efficacy of North Korea's AI-powered weather forecasting system remains an open question, contingent on the opaque reality of its domestic technological and resource infrastructure.