North Korea on Friday claimed it tested an underwater nuclear weapon system called Haeil-5-23 in response to naval exercises conducted by the United States, Japan, and South Korea, according to state-run media Korean Central News Agency.
The exercises by the three countries have "become a cause of further destabilization of the regional situation" and a "serious threat" to the security of North Korea, according to a spokesperson at the North Korean Ministry of Defense, per KCNA.
"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 maneuvers of the navies of the U.S. and its allies," the North Korean ministry spokesman said in a statement, according to KCNA.
South Korea's defense ministry issued a warning against the North's recent series of weapons tests, calling for an immediate halt.
"Our military is thoroughly prepared for North Korea's provocations under a solid joint defense posture with the United States," it said in a statement, vowing "overwhelming" responses if North Korea stages a direct provocation.
The new drone system was first reportedly tested in March 2023, and state media said it was intended to make sneak attacks in enemy waters and destroy naval strike groups and major operational ports by creating a large radioactive wave through an underwater explosion.
Information from Reuters was used in this report.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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