N Korea tests new underwater nuclear attack ‘drone’: State media

North Korea has tested a new underwater nuclear-capable attack drone designed to unleash a “radioactive tsunami” that would destroy enemy naval vessels and ports, state media has reported.

During a military exercise conducted this week under the guidance of the country’s leader Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s military deployed and test-fired the new weapons system, the mission of which was to test the ability to set off a “super-scale” destructive blast and wave, the country’s state news agency KCNA said on Friday.

“This nuclear underwater attack drone can be deployed at any coast and port or towed by a surface ship for operation,” KCNA said.

The news agency said that during the exercise, the drone was put in the water off South Hamgyong province on Tuesday and cruised underwater for 59 hours and 12 minutes, at a depth of some 80 to 150 metres (260 to 490 feet), before detonating in waters off its east coast on Thursday.

KCNA did not elaborate on the drone’s nuclear capabilities.

The underwater drone system is intended to make sneak attacks in enemy waters and destroy naval striker groups and major operational ports, the news agency said.