North Korea Tests Underwater Nuke Drone Amid Military Drills
North Korea has recently conducted a test of its underwater nuclear weapons system, known as the “Haeil-5-23,” in response to joint military drills by South Korea, the United States, and Japan. The test, carried out by the defense ministry's think tank, took place off North Korea's east coast.
The unnamed spokesman from the N Korean Ministry accused the U.S., South Korea, and Japan of engaging in intense military exercises, warning of potential “catastrophic consequences.” The joint naval drills involving the three countries took place over three days, concluding on Wednesday, with the U.S. aircraft carrier Carl Vinson participating.
The North Korean Ministry's spokesman emphasized that their underwater nuclear capabilities are continuously improving, aiming to deter what they perceive as hostile actions by the navies of the U.S. and its allies. However, the reported underwater weapon has not been independently verified, raising questions about its actual existence.
In response, South Korea's defense ministry issued a warning against N Korea's recent weapons tests, asserting their readiness for any provocations. They pledged “overwhelming” responses in the event of a direct provocation from North Korea.
Japan's foreign minister, Yoko Kamikawa, declined to comment specifically on the recent test but expressed continued efforts to curb North Korea's weapons development.
The new drone system, named “Haeil,” meaning tsunami, was reportedly tested in March 2023. It is designed for sneak attacks in enemy waters, with the goal of destroying naval strike groups and major ports through an underwater explosion that creates a large radioactive wave.
This reported underwater test follows N Korea's launch of a new intermediate-range hypersonic missile, condemned by Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo as a serious violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. The three allies' nuclear envoys gathered in Seoul to condemn not only North Korea's weapons activities but also its arms trade with Russia and increasingly hostile rhetoric.
This occurred concurrently with North Korea's foreign minister visiting Moscow and meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
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