Janice R. Andrews
The announcement made by North Korea today that it has tested an underwater nuclear attack drone known as the Haeil-5-23 has increased tensions in the area. North Korea described as “reckless” and “hostile” a combined naval exercise by the US, South Korea, and Japan as the reason for the covert test.
It was tested this week off the east coast of North Korea and is allegedly capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The international community has not independently confirmed the assertion, and the precise date of the test has not been made public.
The first test of the Haeil-5-23 system was conducted in 2023, making this the second test that is known to have occurred. In recent years, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has demonstrated a range of weapon systems and actively increased the number of nuclear warheads in the nation’s arsenal.
The military of South Korea has refuted North Korea’s claims while downplaying the potential of the underwater drone. The system is allegedly intended to attack enemy ports and vessels. North Korea continues to blame South Korea, Japan, and the United States of raising tensions in the region despite the scepticism.
North Korea has criticised the recent naval exercises, which lasted three days and ended on Wednesday south of Jeju island. The three nations were allegedly “getting frantic” with their military drills, a spokesman for North Korea’s defence ministry said, and he threatened “catastrophic consequences.”
The defence ministry of South Korea responded by issuing a strong warning and demanding an end to North Korea’s nuclear testing. The ministry declared that in the event of any direct provocation by North Korea, “overwhelming” responses are guaranteed, and the military is ready for any provocations. It also maintains a strong joint defence posture with the US.
At its greatest level in years, tensions in the area:
This occurs not long after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gave up on the nation’s long-standing objective of peacefully uniting with South Korea. In addition, Kim announced plans to amend the constitution to make South Korea North Korea’s most dangerous foreign enemy. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are currently at an all-time high as North Korea steps up its weaponry displays and raises the possibility of nuclear war, to which the US and its Asian allies respond by stepping up joint military drills.
