North Korea has tested a new underwater nuclear strike capable drone that can generate radiological tsunamis, state media said on Friday, blaming joint military exercises by South Korea and the United States for stoking tensions in the region.
The official Korean Central News Agency said that the new North Korean drone floated during underwater exercises at a depth of 80 to 150 meters for more than 59 hours and exploded in waters off the east coast on Thursday.
The agency added that the drone system aims to launch stealth attacks in enemy waters and destroy naval attack groups and major ports of operations by causing a wide-ranging radiation wave through an underwater explosion.
“The nuclear attack drone can be deployed underwater at any coast or port or towed by a surface ship for operation,” she said, adding that leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test.
It is not clear whether North Korea has fully developed the miniaturized nuclear warheads needed to fit its smaller weapons.
Analysts say developing smaller warheads is likely to be a major goal if North Korea resumes nuclear testing.