(CNN) — North Korean state media says leader Kim Jong Un “personally guided” a simulated test of an underwater nuclear weapon on March 21, the state news agency KCNA reported.
South Korean authorities have not reported any underwater nuclear explosions in the waters of Hongwon Bay from March 21-24.
“The mission of the strategic underwater nuclear weapon is to stealthily infiltrate operational waters and create a large-scale radioactive tsunami through an underwater explosion to destroy enemy naval strike groups and major operating ports,” KCNA reported. “This nuclear submarine attack drone can be deployed on any coast and port or towed by a surface ship to operate.”
The KCNA reported that the submarine nuclear attack drone, “deployed for a drill off the coast of Riwon county of South Hamgyong province on Tuesday, reached the destination point in the waters of Hongwon Bay set as a simulated enemy port with its test warhead detonating underwater Thursday followingnoon following sailing along an oval course and pattern 8 at a submarine depth of 80 to 150 meters in the East Korean Sea for 59 hours and 12 minutes.
North Korea also claims it launched two nuclear-capable cruise missiles during the weapons test and launch drill that took place from March 21-23, according to KCNA.
People watch a TV screen showing a picture of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un witnessing the recent test launch of a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at a train station in Seoul on 17 April. March 2023. (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)
This is the first time North Korea has revealed that it has developed and tested underwater nuclear weapons, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported.
CNN has not been able to verify these claims.
