North Korea announced the testing of its “underwater nuclear weapons system” in response to joint drills by the US, South Korea, and Japan.
The purported test occurred off the country’s east coast, as reported by state media. However, the validity of North Korea’s claims, particularly regarding its “Haeil-5-23” system, remains unverified by independent sources. The international community, including South Korea and its allies, is yet to respond to this latest provocation.
This development follows North Korea’s recent escalation of military activities, including the deployment of a new solid-fueled intermediate-range ballistic missile and live-fire drills at the maritime border with South Korea. Leader Kim Jong Un has been adopting a more aggressive stance, terminating peace agreements and signaling a shift in policy towards South Korea, designating it as the “principal enemy.”
North Korea attributes its latest actions to joint exercises by the US, South Korea, and Japan, describing them as destabilizing and a threat to its security. In response, these nations claim their exercises are a deterrent against North Korea’s repeated violations of UN sanctions through nuclear ballistic missile tests and the introduction of new weapons.
Kim Jong Un has consistently stated that North Korea is fortifying its military capabilities, anticipating the possibility of conflict on the peninsula. Despite the regime’s claims of advancements, analysts remain skeptical about the actual threat posed by its underwater weapons, such as the Haeil system – unmanned, nuclear-armed drones designed for stealthy incursions into enemy waters.
Last September, North Korea unveiled what it asserted was its first submarine capable of launching nuclear weapons. Since March 2023, it has claimed tests of its Haeil system, described as having the capability to cause significant underwater explosions. However, experts suggest that these weapons are still in the developmental stage and do not yet pose a substantial threat.
In addition to military activities, North Korea declared the successful launch of a spy satellite, with plans to deploy three more in the coming year. The functionality of these satellites remains unverified, but South Korea alleges that Russia played a role in assisting North Korea with its satellite program in exchange for arms during the conflict in Ukraine.
Amid these developments, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely, recognizing the challenges in assessing the accuracy and implications of North Korea’s claims.