Retaliation for enemy military maneuvers nearby: North Korea apparently tested an ‘underwater nuclear weapons system’ for the first time

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Tensions are rising on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea says it has tested an “underwater nuclear weapons system” for the first time. It is unclear whether there was a nuclear explosion.

Seismic data, which can typically provide information about the explosive power of North Korea’s nuclear tests, is not yet available.

“Nuclear deterrent”

A message published Friday by North Korea’s state news agency KCNA said: “We will never tolerate the reckless military confrontation hysteria.”

“In response, North Korea “conducted a major test of its underwater nuclear weapons system under development in the Korean East Sea.”

Underwater nuclear weapons will be further expanded, it is said, to “deter hostile military maneuvers by US naval forces and their allies.”

Not an unusual threatening gesture from Pyongyang

According to Pyongyang, the test was a retaliation for the “trilateral military exercises” between Japan, South Korea and the US that took place in the region.

The three allies completed three days of naval exercises on Wednesday. It is not unusual for North Korea to issue threats after such military maneuvers.

South Korea is considering its own nuclear weapons

North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un, 40, recently shut down authorities that promoted reunification with South Korea.

War is inevitable, Kim told his own people, without elaborating.

The long-taboo topic of whether the country should arm itself with nuclear weapons is currently being debated in South Korea.

++ Update to follow

Source: Blick