North Korea Claims Successful Test of Underwater Nuclear-Capable Drone Amid Escalating Tensions
North Korea announced on Friday that it had conducted a successful test of its underwater nuclear-capable drone, named Haeil, in response to joint naval exercises conducted by the United States, South Korea, and Japan. The secretive nation accused the three allies of engaging in "frantic" and "provocative" military drills, heightening tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
The latest test follows a series of trials of the Haeil system last year, with North Korean state media suggesting its capability to carry a nuclear warhead capable of generating a "radioactive tsunami." While evidence for the success of the recent test was not presented, North Korea warned the US, South Korea, and Japan of "catastrophic consequences" resulting from their actions.
The joint naval exercises led by the US, featuring the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, Japanese helicopter carrier JS Hyūga, and guided-missile-equipped surface ships from the three nations, aimed to enhance deterrence and response capabilities against North Korea's nuclear, missile, and underwater threats, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In response to the drills, North Korea's state media, the Korea Central News Agency (KCNA), emphasized its determination to defend itself. The KCNA report stated, "The armed forces of (North Korea) will strike horror into their hearts through the responsible, prompt and bold exercise of its deterrent."
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been escalating since late December, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un instructing the country's military and defence sectors to accelerate war preparations in response to perceived "confrontation moves" by the US. Kim's recent announcement that North Korea will no longer seek reconciliation and reunification with South Korea further complicates the strained relations.
Analysts suggest that North Korea's recent military activities, including artillery fire near the inter-Korean maritime border and the testing of a ballistic missile with a hypersonic glide vehicle, indicate an increasingly intractable stance. Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ehwa University in Seoul, noted that these actions, coupled with a rejection of dialogue and defining Seoul as an adversary, reflect an ideological adjustment for regime survival.
As the situation intensifies, the international community closely monitors developments on the Korean Peninsula, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and seek peaceful resolutions to the longstanding conflict.