North Korea claimed Friday that it had tested an underwater nuclear attack drone capable of launching a “radioactive tsunami. Blaming recent US-South Korean drills for the deterioration of regional security.
Pyongyang responded with drills this week, including testing of the new underwater nuclear delivery device. Korean Medias reported. The weapon’s goal is to “stealthily infiltrate operational waters and create a super-scale radioactive tsunami. To destroy enemy naval striker groups and major operational ports,” according to the description.
The tests were directly overseen by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to KCNA. Images released by Pyongyang’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed a smiling Kim and what looked to be an underwater explosion.
Analysts, however, questioned North Korea’s assertions.
According to Leif-Eric Easley, a researcher at Ewha University in Seoul, Pyongyang possesses “a nuclear-capable underwater drone.”
“Pyongyang’s claims about a new weapons system are not the same as a credible demonstration of capability,” he went on to say.
If true, it is hard to see how Seoul “could respond to such a formidable new weapon from North Korea that (it says) can completely destroy the South’s major operational ports.”
The KCNA statement also indicates “Pyongyang is more than ready to use its tactical nuclear weapons at any time,” An Chan-il, a defector-turned-researcher, told
“Moreover This further strengthens Kim’s justification for his future nuclear tests.”
Nuclear power
After a record-breaking year of weapons tests and growing nuclear threats from Pyongyang in 2022, Seoul and Washington have ramped up security cooperation. On Thursday, the two allies completed their largest joint military drills in five years.
Pyongyang views all such exercises as rehearsals for invasion and has threatened “overwhelming” action in response.
On Friday, KCNA described the US-South Korea joint exercises — dubbed Freedom Shield — as a drill for “occupying” North Korea.
Pyongyang’s “underwater nuclear attack drone” drill had been held “to alert the enemy to an actual nuclear crisis,” the agency said.
Leader Kim had also stressed that the North’s nuclear capabilities were “being bolstered at a greater speed,” KCNA said.
North Korea last year declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear power. Again Kim called for an “exponential” increase in weapons production. Including tactical nuclear weapons.
While Washington has repeatedly restated its “ironclad” commitment to defending South Korea. Including using the “full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear”.
South Korea, for its part, is eager to reassure its increasingly nervous public about the US commitment to so-called extended deterrence, where US military assets, including nuclear weapons, serve to prevent attacks on allies.
Friday’s statement comes about a week after Pyongyang test-fired its largest and most powerful missile, a Hwasong-17 — its second ICBM test this year.
