As a U.S. amphibious assault ship landed in South Korea for joint exercises, the North Korean official news agency KCNA said on Friday that it tested a new nuclear underwater attack drone under the direction of leader Kim Jong Un this week.
The North’s official news agency also announced that during the weapon test and shooting practice that took place from Tuesday to Thursday, cruise missiles were launched.
According to the KCNA, the North Korean drone operated underwater for more than 59 hours before exploding on Thursday in the seas off its east coast. It made no more mention of the drone’s nuclear prowess.
According to the KCNA, the drone technology is designed to launch covert operations in hostile seas and eliminate navy striking units and important operating ports.
According to the news agency, “This nuclear underwater attack drone may be deployed at any shore and port or pulled by a surface ship for operation.”
North Korea acknowledged shooting four cruise missiles on Wednesday in a separate firing exercise to simulate carrying out nuclear strike missions.
The missiles traveled 1,500 to 1,800 kilometers and were equipped with a “test warhead resembling a nuclear warhead,” it was stated.
According to the South Korean military, North Korea launched four cruise missiles on Wednesday off its east coast.
The North said that the most recent weapon tests and exercises had no detrimental effects on the security of the neighboring nations.