North Korea conducted a test of its underwater nuclear weapons system, known as the “Haeil-5-23,” as a protest against the joint military drills involving South Korea, the United States, and Japan.
The test was carried out off the east coast, according to state media KCNA. The North Korean defence ministry’s think tank executed the test in response to what it described as the “frantic” military exercises by the US, South Korea, and Japan.
The underwater drone system, dubbed “Haeil,” was first tested in March 2023 and is designed for sneak attacks in enemy waters, capable of creating a large radioactive wave through an underwater explosion.
The latest test comes on the heels of North Korea’s firing of a new intermediate-range, solid-fuel hypersonic missile, which drew condemnation from the US, South Korea, and Japan.
