North Korea Underwater Nuclear Trials After Joint US-South Korea-Japan Military Exercise

ILLUSTRATION/DOK Via Wikimedia CommonsStefan Krasowski

JAKARTA - North Korea conducted a test of the underwater nuclear weapons system in response to joint military exercises by the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

"We will not allow the hysteries of reckless military confrontations," the North Korean Ministry of Defense said, referring to the three-day maritime exercises in Jeju Island, South Korea, which ended on Wednesday, January 17.

The ministry said the three allied countries were "panic" so they "held provocative military exercises since the beginning of this year".

As reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Friday, January 19, responding to the exercise, North Korea has carried out an "important test of the 'Haeil 5-23' underwater nuclear weapons system under development" in the East Sea, the ministry said.

The trilateral maritime exercise by the three allied countries involved US nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and the USS Princeton cruiser armed with missiles under Aegis control.

North Korea said the joint exercise caused the situation of the region to be "increasingly unstable" and "seriously threaten the security" of its territory.

"We strongly condemn the US and its followers for their reckless actions... and firmly warn them of the consequences of the disaster they have caused," the ministry said.

The ministry also said North Korea's "underwater nuclear-based defense posture" was "increasingly refined and various responsive maritime and underwater measures would continue to hinder the military maneuvers of the US navy and its allies. "

Meanwhile, South Korea called for an "international response" to the ever-increasing military threat from North Korea at a NATO meeting in Brussels.

South Korean military representatives Lieutenant General Hwang You-sung attended a meeting of NATO's top military officials with military officials from Australia, Japan and New Zealand.