ISLAMABAD: North Korea has conducted another test of a nuclear-capable underwater attack drone, according to state media.
The country tested the so-called Haeil-2 more than a week after revealing a new underwater drone system dubbed Haeil-1, which translates to “tsunami” in Korean and is designed to conduct covert operations in enemy waters, Reuters said.
Analysts are skeptical that the underwater vehicle is ready for deployment. Still, they say North Korea is eager to show off its diverse weaponry against the US and South Korea, which have been conducting large-scale military exercises in recent weeks. The most recent test was conducted from April 4 to April 7, according to state media KCNA on Saturday.
According to the agency, the underwater nuclear attack drone Haeil-2 cruised 1,000km [621 miles] of simulated underwater distance, and the test warhead was also detonated. According to the report, the test “perfectly demonstrated the reliability of the underwater strategic weapon system and its fatal attack capability.”
North Korea conducted many weapons tests in 2022 and has maintained its military momentum this year, claiming that the US-South Korean drills, which included at least one US nuclear-capable B-52 strategic bomber this week, are rehearsals for invasion.
Underwater nuclear attack
North Korea claimed on March 23 that it had tested an underwater nuclear attack drone capable of unleashing a “radioactive tsunami.” According to state media at the time, the drone cruised underwater for 59 hours and 12 minutes before detonation. Satellite imagery has also revealed a high level of activity at North Korea’s main nuclear complex, following a directive from leader Kim Jong Un to increase the production of weapons-grade nuclear material.
North Korea declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear power last year, and Kim has instructed the North Korean military to increase drills in preparation for a “real war.” Denuclearisation talks have stalled since the collapse of the second high-profile summit between Kim and then-US President Donald Trump in 2019. Under United Nations resolutions, Pyongyang is prohibited from testing ballistic missiles and is also subject to international sanctions for its weapons programs.
