North Korea has tested a newly designed “underwater nuclear weapon system,” according to its armed forces, in retaliation to joint military manoeuvres conducted by the United States, South Korea, and Japan.
A military spokeswoman confirmed the test in a statement released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) early Friday morning, blaming “provocative military exercises” undertaken throughout the Korean peninsula in recent weeks.
“In response, the Underwater Weapon System Institute under the DPRK Academy of Defence Science conducted an important test of its underwater nuclear weapon system ‘Haeil-5-23’ under development in the East Sea of Korea,” according to the statement, adding that the test helped Pyongyang develop its “underwater nuke-based countering posture.”
The spokesperson went on to denounce “military gangsters” in Washington, Seoul and Tokyo for “seriously threatening the security of the DPRK,” warning of “catastrophic consequences” should they continue their war games in the region.
Pyongyang conducted multiple similar tests last year, including a “nuclear unmanned underwater attack boat” in March, which it had previously described as a “secret weapon.” According to unnamed military officials, the naval drone may use underwater explosions to cause a “radioactive tsunami” and “annihilate enemy ship groups” without being detected.
It was unclear whether the newest testing used a newer variant of the same weapon.
Friday’s launch occurred amid escalating tensions between the two Koreas, with Seoul and Washington staging a flurry of live-fire war drills over the previous year despite North Korea’s repeated warnings. The DPRK has replied with its own demonstrations of power, including many weapon tests.
