North Korea claims to test underwater nuclear-capable drone

North Korea claims to have tested a nuclear-capable underwater attack drone in response to a joint naval exercise by the United States, South Korea and Japan. North Korea continues to throw blame at its adversaries as tensions rise in the region. The country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, announced North Korea allegedly tested the new weapon on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024.

The drone is said to be designed to destroy naval vessels and ports. The alleged test came days after Kim said he was no longer pursuing his country’s long-standing goal of a peaceful reunification with South Korea. He declared that his country would rewrite the constitution to define South Korea as its most hostile foreign adversary.

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Over the past few months, tensions have steadily risen, with Kim enhancing testing of his weapons and threatening nuclear conflict with his growing arsenal. The U.S. and its allies have responded to North Korea’s aggression by conducting show-of-strength military exercises, which Kim believes are a pretext for an invasion, per Associated Press reporting.

The underwater drone — which North Korea reportedly said was first tested last year — is among a growing range of weapon systems tested as Kim displays his arsenal of nuclear-capable weapons. However, South Korea’s military claims North Korea has exaggerated the drone’s capabilities.

North Korea said it tested the drone in the country’s eastern waters in response to a naval drill by the U.S., Japan and South Korea. The drill ended Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in the waters south of mainland South Korea and Jeju Island. North Korea did not say when the test of the underwater drone occurred.

“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,” North Korea’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.

“We strongly denounce the U.S. and its followers for their reckless acts of seriously threatening the security of [North Korea] from the outset of the year and sternly warn them of the catastrophic consequences to be entailed by them,” it said.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry condemned North Korea’s recent tests as a violation of U.N. Security Council’s resolutions and a threat to “peace in the Korean Peninsula and the world.” According to the Associated Press, the ministry said in a statement that the U.S. and South Korean militaries are maintaining a firm defense posture against possible North Korean provocations.

North Korea has reportedly tested various missile systems believed to be designed to target the United States and its Asian allies. North Korea also announced renewed efforts to build up its nuclear weapon stockpile, which includes a new nuclear doctrine that authorizes the military to conduct preemptive nuclear strikes if North Korean leadership is perceived to be under threat.

During an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, South Korean officials urged the council “to break the silence” over North Korea’s increased missile tests and threats. Russia and China have blocked recent U.S.-led efforts to increase sanctions on North Korea over its weapons tests, as a deep divide remains over Russia’s war in Ukraine. Both Russia and China are permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, while South Korea is serving a two-year term on the council.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.