N. Korea says it tested underwater nuclear drone in eastern waters

북한 “동해서 수중 핵무기체계 중요시험 진행“ 주장 한미일 해상훈련 반발 North Korea says it has conducted another test of its underwater nuclear weapons system, as it continues to blame the U.S. and its allies. The South Korean military denounced these claims, warning it will respond “overwhelming,“ in the event of a direct threat. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji reports. North Korea claims that it has tested an underwater weapons system, in protest against this week's combined naval drills between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, saying they're “seriously threatening the security“ of the North. That's according to a statement from the North's defense ministry on Friday, which said it conducted an “important test“ of its 'Haeil-5-23' system in its eastern waters. But it did not unveil specific details, such as when it was conducted or the test results. In response, the South Korean military urged the North to immediately stop such actions, as they violate UN Security Council Resolutions and threaten global peace. It also warned that it will respond “overwhelmingly,“ if Pyongyang stages a direct provocation against Seoul, adding that it's maintaining strong combined readiness with the U.S. “Haeil,“ which means tsunami, is the North's underwater nuclear drone system, that's designed to generate what it calls a “radioactive tsunami,“ to carry out strikes on enemy vessels and ports. The North claims to have tested the system twice last year, the “Haeil-1“ in March, and then the “Haeil-2“ in April. To better respond to growing threats from the North, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan jointly conducted naval exercises this week --involving the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier the USS Carl Vinson for three days starting Monday, in waters south of Jeju Island. This took place a day after North Korea test-fired what it claimed was a solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile carrying a hypersonic warhead. The South Korean military said the drills were aimed at bolstering the three countries' response capabilities against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been rising in recent weeks, with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un saying he has “no intention of avoiding war,“ threatening to annihilate the South if it attempts to use force against the regime. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News. #NorthKorea #Nuclear_weapon #Underwater #Security #한미일_연합_해상_훈련 #북한 #수중_핵무기 #테스트 #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스 📣 Facebook : 📣 Twitter : 📣 Homepage : 2024-01-19, 21:00 (KST)