North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, oversaw the recent testing of military attack drones and urged for advancements in artificial intelligence and other technologies to enhance their operational efficiency. State Media KCNA unveiled images of Kim inspecting a drone research facility, though its exact location remains undisclosed. Some photos depicted Kim observing a drone flight resembling the US Reaper drone.
In a shift from his previous focus on nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, Kim has recently concentrated on bolstering his conventional military capabilities, with drones, naval assets, and surveillance satellites taking center stage. Reports surfaced indicating Kim’s intentions to deploy a “radioactive tsunami” following his inspection of underwater nuclear drones testing.
The North Korean military has been directed by the East Sea Fleet to conduct trials involving nuclear-armed underwater drones, aligning with Kim’s emphasis on equipping the navy with nuclear capabilities. Insider sources revealed that a government agency instructed the military to prepare the “Haeil” (tsunami) underwater attack drone.
Collaboration between a secretive laboratory for underwater weapons at the Academy of National Defence Science and naval units has been ongoing to initiate trial drone operations. The “Haeil” is described as a large torpedo-type drone, approximately 13 meters long and 1.5 meters in diameter, potentially capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. However, the specifics of its combat capabilities, including its potential nuclear armament, are subject to evaluation during trial operations.
North Korea has conducted multiple tests of the Haeil since 2023, touting it as a weapon designed to approach enemy vessels or ports covertly before triggering a “radioactive tsunami” through an underwater explosion. Questions persist regarding the drone’s capacity to generate the “super-scale radioactive tsunami” as proclaimed by Pyongyang.
Despite uncertainties surrounding the drone’s combat effectiveness, authorities view the Haeil as a strategic asset for potential nuclear retaliation and infiltration of enemy strongholds. The military perceives the acquisition of such a weapon, capable of detonating underwater at strategic locations, as a demonstration of naval prowess, instilling hope and confidence among personnel.
Furthermore, North Korea is reportedly constructing its largest warship to date, as indicated by recent satellite images, raising concerns about the nation’s offensive capabilities. Satellite imagery has also unveiled a secret military base near the Chinese border in North Pyongan Province, located merely 17 miles from China, potentially housing formidable missiles.
(Note: The article has been SEO-optimized and rewritten for clarity and reader-friendly presentation.)