Pyongyang tested new nuclear-capable submarine system

North Korea tested a new underwater nuclear attack drone this week in response to joint military exercises held by the United States and South Korea, the country’s state agency reported Friday.

The regime tested this week in the presence of leader Kim Jong-un a new type of underwater drone capable of generating radioactive tsunamis similar to the Russian system known as Poseidon.

During the maneuvers, which took place from Tuesday to Thursday, the North Korean army deployed and tested this new weapons system, whose objective is to “cause a large-scale radioactive tsunami” with an underwater explosion, and destroy enemy ships and ports, according to the KCNA news agency.

“This nuclear submarine attack drone can be deployed on any coast and port or towed by a surface ship for operation,” KCNA said.

The drone was deployed off the northeastern coast of North Korea on Tuesday and “reached the target point in the waters of Hongwon Bay established as a simulated enemy port with its test warhead detonating underwater on Thursday afternoon,” the agency reported today. KCNA.

The device, which exploded “after sailing at a depth of 80 to 150 meters tracing an oval and figure-of-eight course in the East Sea (the name given to the Sea of ​​Japan in the two Koreas) for 59 hours and 12 minutes,” was reported. has been tested coinciding with the large maneuvers that Seoul and Washington are carrying out these days in the south of the peninsula.

“The mission of this weapon is to stealthily penetrate operational waters and cause a large-scale radioactive tsunami through an underwater detonation that destroys naval attack groups and the enemy’s main operational ports,” the KCNA text explained.

According to the text, the weapon began to be developed in 2012 and, after subjecting it to 50 tests of different types (29 of which were attended by Kim Jong-un), its operational deployment was decided at the last plenary session of the Party of Workers held in December of last year.

KCNA only published this Thursday four photos of the test of this underwater drone in which an underwater silhouette and an explosion can be seen near the sea surface, and some experts have already rushed to doubt that Pyongyang could have it in conditions. operational a weapon of this type.

Russia says it has already had its Poseidon nuclear submarine drones deployed and in operational condition for just a few months, although the enormous secrecy with which they have been developed for years prevents knowing more details about this type of weapon.

North Korea, which said it would respond harshly to the allies’ large spring exercises and has carried out half a dozen missile launches in the last two weeks, has taken advantage of its celebration to announce the tests of this new type of weaponry.

The peninsula is experiencing a historic level of tension after 2022 in which Pyongyang, which has rejected offers to return to dialogue, carried out a record number of weapons tests and in which the allies once again carried out large maneuvers and deployed propulsion aircraft carriers. nuclear or strategic bombers.

(With information from EFE)

Related