Status: 03/24/2023 06:32
North Korea has said it carried out nuclear strikes against naval facilities and enemy ports. Supposedly, a nuclear-capable underwater drone was also used, which Pyongyang has apparently been developing since 2012.
North Korea says it has tested a new type of underwater military drone that can be equipped with a nuclear warhead.
The “Haeil” unmanned underwater vehicle for a nuclear strike could be detonated underwater and thus trigger a “radioactive tsunami”, state-controlled media reported. The information cannot be independently verified.
It also tested strategic cruise missiles
The largely isolated state is subject to stiff international sanctions over its nuclear weapons and missile programs. According to reports, the test of the drone was carried out as part of a Tuesday-Thursday commando exercise to draw enemy attention to “an ongoing nuclear crisis”.
Strategic cruise missiles were also tested to simulate a nuclear attack.
North Korea sees the United States and South Korea as enemies. South Korea’s military detected the launch of several North Korean-guided missiles on the east coast on Wednesday.
Tensions on the Peninsula grow
The drone has been described by North Korea as a secret weapon. It can be deployed “parked on any coast and port or towed by a surface ship”, he said. The test took place on Thursday to practice attacking an enemy port. The test warhead exploded off the east coast at a depth of 80 to 150 meters.
Tensions are rising on the Korean peninsula. The tests are also a response to new US military exercises with South Korea. After an unprecedented series of missile tests last year, North Korea has repeatedly tested nuclear-capable missiles and guided missiles again this year, despite a ban under UN resolutions. The US and South Korea resumed full-scale maneuvers.