North Korea tests ‘underwater nuclear weapon system’

Pyongyang said the weapon trial would deter “hostile military maneuvers” by Washington and its allies

North Korea has carried out a test of a newly developed “underwater nuclear weapon system,” the country’s military said, noting the move was a response to joint military drills by the United States, South Korea and Japan.

A military spokesperson announced the test in a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) early on Friday morning, citing “provocative military exercises” held around the Korean peninsula in recent weeks.

“In response, the Underwater Weapon System Institute under the DPRK Academy of Defence Science conducted an important test of its underwater nuclear weapon system ‘Haeil-5-23’ under development in the East Sea of Korea,” the statement said, adding that the test helped to develop Pyongyong’s “underwater nuke-based countering posture.”

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