North Korea reported conducting an underground nuclear weapons system test in response to joint naval exercises conducted by the United States, South Korea, and Japan. North Korean state media outlet KCNA pointed the finger at those three countries for heightening tensions in the region.
Kim Jong Un has undertaken high-profile meetings with Vladimir Putin as part of a renewed push to deepen ties between North and South Korea, as well as to advance ideological campaigns.
State Media Reports
North Korea announced Friday that they conducted an underwater test of their nuclear-capable Haeil-5-23 drone system in response to joint naval drills between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan this week in waters south of Jeju Island – state media KCNA reported without specifying the date or exact time – in response to South Korean, U.S. and Japanese naval exercises taking place this month. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has conducted numerous weapons tests over recent years as he expands his arsenal.
Defence ministry officials described the drills as an act that poses serious threats to national security, with testing of Haeil-5-23s serving to “sharpen our treasured sword and deliver deadly blows against their targets,” according to KCNA reports.
Analysts note that North Korean spokesman’s remarks likely were meant to dissuade U.S.-led military action against them, given current tensions on the peninsula due to Kim accelerating weapons demonstrations and threats of nuclear warfare; US allies responded by increasing joint military exercises between their nations and North Korea.
At a five-day meeting with army commanding officers last week, Kim pledged to strengthen North Korea’s military might ahead of any potential confrontation between it and the United States. In addition, he promised the launch of three additional spy satellites this year and production of additional nuclear weapons.
South Korea’s ROK Media Reports
After weeks of growing tension between North Korea and the U.S., Pyongyang claimed Friday to have conducted an “important test” of their underwater nuclear weapons system known as Haeil-5-23 by testing it through its defence ministry’s think tank KCNA reported, without providing an exact date or time frame for such tests. Haeil-5-23 can reportedly destroy naval strike groups and major operational ports through an underwater explosion.
The North claimed their decision was in response to joint military exercises held this week by Washington, Seoul and Tokyo that threatened its security and raised tensions further on the Korean Peninsula. They have repeatedly accused their allies of raising tensions and conducting unnecessary military drills as an attempt to start war at any moment on the peninsula.
These latest claims come just days after North Korea launched a solid-fuel missile, while its foreign minister met Russia to discuss trade and other issues. South Korea has requested the UN break its silence over North Korea’s threats and actions, specifically since Seoul is serving a two-year term as non-permanent member of the Security Council and pledged more proactively tackling issues of terrorism and proliferation; however these attempts have been hindered by China and Russia – both permanent members – blocking measures against North Korea.
International Media Reports
The Office of International Media Engagement develops and oversees mechanisms that ensure accurate coverage of State Department foreign policy priorities by major international media outlets, including international news agencies, wire services and television channels.
North Korea’s state news agency announced on Friday that North Korea conducted a test of its underwater nuclear weapons system in response to naval drills hosted by Washington, Seoul and Tokyo this week. Although no date was provided by KCNA regarding when this so-called Haeil (tsunami in Korean) system was put through its paces, Pyongyang is making claims it is gearing up for war.
The Haeil drone could potentially be used to infiltrate enemy waters and strike back by creating an explosion with radioactive waves to attack naval strike groups or major operational ports with radioactive tsunamis – though experts warn such weapons would likely be far less potency than their regime-issued nuclear missiles.
Tensions on the peninsula have escalated rapidly over the past weeks as Kim Jong Un ramps up military demonstrations and rhetoric. Just this week, he dismantled his regime’s longstanding goal of peaceful unification with South Korea while making threats to revise their constitution in order to declare South Korea their greatest foreign enemy.
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