North Korea announces testing underwater nuclear drones
North Korea tests underwater drones capable of carrying nuclear charge (Getty Images)
North Korea conducted a test of its nuclear weapons submarine system in protest against joint military exercises held this week by South Korea, the United States, and Japan, according to Reuters.
The test of the "Haeil-5-23" system, the name given by North Korea to its nuclear-capable underwater drones, was conducted by the Ministry of Defense center in waters near the eastern coast.
An unnamed spokesperson from the department accused the United States, South Korea and Japan of "getting frantic" with military exercises, warning of "catastrophic consequences."
The naval forces of the three countries were conducting their three-day regular exercises with the U.S. aircraft carrier "Carl Vinson" as part of efforts to enhance the response to new nuclear and missile threats from Pyongyang.
"Our army's underwater nuke-based countering posture is being further rounded off and its various maritime and underwater responsive actions will continue to deter the hostile military manoeuvres of the navies of the U.S. and its allies," said the North Korean Ministry of Defense spokesperson.
North Korea's military policy
North Korea sometimes asserts its status as a nuclear state and regularly conducts tests of ballistic missiles. These tests raise concerns in the U.S., South Korea, and Japan.
It was previously reported that North Korea claimed to have tested a hypersonic solid-fuel ballistic missile.
We also reported that North Korea launched a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan, causing concern in Japan.
The White House said that the nature of the security threat from North Korea could undergo radical changes in the next decade due to its cooperation with Russia.
