North Korea claims to have tested a nuclear-capable underwater drone that can generate a gigantic "radioactive tsunami" and destroy naval strike groups and ports. Analysts are sceptical the device presents a major new threat but the test underlines the North's commitment to raising nuclear threats.
This week's test comes as the United States reportedly plans to deploy aircraft carrier strike groups and other advanced assets to waters off the Korean Peninsula. Military tensions are at a high point as the pace of both North Korean weapons tests and US-South Korea joint military exercises has accelerated in the past year in a cycle of tit-for-tat responses.
Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the new weapon, which can be deployed from the coast or towed by surface ships, is built to "stealthily infiltrate into operational waters and make a super-scale radioactive tsunami through an underwater explosion to destroy naval strike groups and major operational ports of the enemy".
