South Korea does not rule out the possibility that North Korea’s announcement regarding the tests of the underwater nuclear weapon system “Haeil-5-23” is exaggerated or untrue.
“Considering a comprehensive analysis, we assess the possibility that North Korea’s claims are exaggerated and fabricated. It is presumed to be something like a torpedo, but the likelihood of it using a nuclear power unit is very low. There have been no cases of developing reactors so small that they could be installed in a torpedo with a diameter of less than 1 meter,” the administration stated, according to the Yonhap news agency.
Seoul said there are “limitations in confirming” North Korea’s assertion because Pyongyang has yet to share any images. The administration stated that the South Korean armed forces have “superior military potential that allows them to strike” at the locations of such weapon systems in the event of a war.
According to the Korean Central News Agency, Pyongyang tested the underwater nuclear weapon system “Haeil-5-23” in retaliation to joint military drills conducted by the United States, South Korea, and Japan on January 19. Following one of these tests, the state-run radio “Voice of Korea” warned that the weapon might unleash a “radioactive tsunami” to destroy enemy fleets and ports.
The Central Telegraph Agency of Korea (CTAK) reported, “From January 15, for three days, the American aircraft carrier “Carl Vinson,” the cruiser “Princeton” equipped with the multifunctional Aegis combat system, and naval vessels of the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Navy of the Republic of Korea conducted joint naval exercises again in the sea around Jeju Island. In response to this, the North Korean Academy of National Defense’s Submarine Weapon Systems Institute conducted a significant test of the underwater nuclear weapon system “Hwasong-5-23″ in the waters of the East Sea (Sea of Japan – Ed), which is under development.”
The message also emphasized that the underwater nuclear readiness of the North Korean army is improving, and as a result, “various responsive actions at sea and underwater will continue to deter hostile military actions by the U.S. Navy and their allies.”
On March 24, 2023, the “Voice of Korea” radio reported that North Korea conducted tests of a new underwater drone from March 21 to 23, capable of carrying a nuclear payload that, upon detonation, could trigger a radioactive tsunami. It was noted that “this secret weapon is a nuclear unmanned underwater attack boat.” Its mission is to “secretly travel underwater and generate a super-powerful radioactive tsunami through an underwater explosion to destroy the enemy’s fleet and port.”
According to state media reports, this “secret weapons” – nuclear unmanned underwater vehicle “Heil” (“Tsunami” – Ed.), which was under development since 2012, has undergone more than 50 tests in the last two years. Of these, 29 were reportedly conducted under the personal guidance of the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un.
It is believed that the North Korean weapon is similar to the Russian Poseidon Nuclear Torpedo in principle.
