North Korean media reported today that the regime tested this week in the presence of leader Kim Jong-un a new type of underwater drone capable of generating radioactive tsunamis similar to the Russian system known as Poseidon.

The drone deployed off the northeastern North Korean coast on Tuesday and "reached the target point in Hongwon Bay waters established as a simulated enemy port with its test warhead detonating underwater on Thursday afternoon," KCNA news agency reported today.

The device, which exploded "after sailing at a depth of 80 to 150 meters tracing an oval course and eight in the East Sea (name given to the Sea of Japan in the two Koreas) for 59 hours and 12 minutes", has been tested coinciding with the great maneuvers that these days Seoul and Washington carry out in the south of the peninsula.

"The mission of this armament is to stealthily penetrate operational waters and cause a large-scale radioactive tsunami by means of a submarine detonation that destroys naval strike groups and the main operational ports of the enemy," the KCNA text explained.

According to the text, the weapon began to be developed in 2012 and, after subjecting it to 50 tests of different types (29 of which were attended by Kim Jong-un), it was decided to deploy it operationally in the last plenary of the Workers' Party held in December last year.

KCNA just published four photos of the test of this underwater drone in which an underwater silhouette and an explosion near the sea surface are seen, and some experts have already been quick to doubt that Pyongyang can have such a weapon in operational condition.

Russia says it has already had its Poseidon nuclear underwater drones deployed and in operational condition for just a few months, although the enormous secrecy with which they have been developed for years prevents knowing more details about this type of weapon.

North Korea, which said it would respond harshly to the great spring maneuvers of the allies and has carried out in the last two weeks half a dozen missile launches, has taken advantage of its celebration to announce the tests of this new type of weapon.

The peninsula is experiencing a historic level of tension after a 2022 in which Pyongyang, which has rejected offers to return to dialogue, carried out a record number of weapons tests and in which the allies returned to carry out large maneuvers and deploy nuclear-powered aircraft carriers or strategic bombers.

According to The Trust Project criteria

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  • North Korea
  • Kim Jong Un