North Korea Tests ‘Underwater Nuclear Weapons System’ in Response to US, South Korea, and Japan Drills
North Korea has announced that it successfully tested its “underwater nuclear weapons system” in response to joint military drills conducted by the United States, South Korea, and Japan. According to state media, the test was carried out off the east coast of North Korea. However, there is no independent evidence to verify these claims, and South Korea has dismissed the North’s descriptions of the drones’ capabilities as exaggerated. The South Korean defense ministry has labeled the reported tests as a “provocation” that threatens peace on the Korean Peninsula and the world.
This recent incident comes as North Korea has been escalating its military actions in recent weeks. On Sunday, the country claimed to have deployed a new solid-fueled intermediate-range ballistic missile. Additionally, live-fire drills were conducted at the maritime border with South Korea in early January. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been adopting an increasingly aggressive policy direction and rhetoric, ending several agreements aimed at peacekeeping in recent months.
North Korea accused the joint drills by the US, South Korea, and Japan of destabilizing the regional situation and posing a threat to its security. The three countries have been conducting more exercises in response to North Korea’s frequent military actions, including nuclear ballistic missile tests and the launch of new weapons. These actions are in violation of UN sanctions. Despite international pressure, Kim Jong Un has repeatedly stated that his regime is building up its military arsenal in preparation for a potential war on the Korean Peninsula.
Over the New Year period, Kim Jong Un signaled a shift in his regime’s stance towards South Korea. He declared that the former goal of reunification with South Korea was over, designating the South as the “principal enemy.” This rhetoric follows claimed advances in North Korea’s military and nuclear capabilities, including advancements in its underwater operations.
In September of last year, North Korea unveiled what it claimed to be its first submarine capable of launching nuclear weapons. Since March 2023, the country has also claimed tests of its Haeil system, which consists of unmanned, underwater nuclear-armed drones. Little is known about these weapons or their actual capabilities, but North Korean media has described them as being able to infiltrate enemy waters and cause large underwater explosions. Analysts believe that if the weapons function as presented by North Korea, they would be considered less significant than the regime’s nuclear ballistic missiles.
Ahn Chan-il, a defector-turned-researcher at the World Institute for North Korea Studies, stated that considering North Korea’s defense science level and the fact that the weapon is still in the developing stage, it does not pose a significant threat at this time. However, the international community remains concerned about North Korea’s continued military advancements and its disregard for UN sanctions.
In addition to its military activities, North Korea has also made strides in its space program. Last year, the country declared that it successfully launched a spy satellite into space and plans to launch three more this year. The functionality of the satellite has yet to be independently verified, but South Korea claims that North Korea received assistance from Russia in launching the satellite. This claim raises concerns about the relationship between North Korea and Russia, particularly in light of Russia’s involvement in the war in Ukraine.
As tensions continue to rise on the Korean Peninsula, the international community must closely monitor North Korea’s military activities and its pursuit of advanced weaponry. The actions of Kim Jong Un’s regime pose a significant threat to regional stability and global security. Efforts must be made to de-escalate tensions and find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.