Presidential Office: “North Korea successfully conducted underwater nuclear weapon test? Possibility of exaggeration and information manipulation” = South Korean report

Regarding North Korea's claim that it successfully test-launched a nuclear unmanned underwater attack craft three times in 2023, the President's Office said, ``Based on the analysis to date, North Korea's claim is
There is a high possibility that it is exaggerated and fabricated." A presidential office official said on the 21st, ``Since (North Korea) has not released photographic materials, confirmation of authenticity is limited.
” and stated as follows. Prior to this, North Korea announced that it conducted two underwater explosive tests of the Tsunami-1 type in March 2023 and the Tsunami-2 type in April of the same year.
Ru. In January 2023, North Korea has adopted the goal of possessing underwater-launched nuclear strategic weapons, which is one of the five major priorities of the Five-Year National Defense Development Plan announced by Chairman Kim Jung Eun.
We are promoting the development of underwater weapons. In response, a source from the presidential office said, ``If these were tested, it would be presumed to be some kind of torpedo, but the possibility that they were nuclear weapons is extremely slim.''
There has never been any development of a small nuclear reactor that could fit into a torpedo with a diameter of less than 1 meter." Furthermore, ``Regardless of the truth or falsity of North Korea's claims, the South Korean military is utilizing the US-South Korea joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system.
"We are continuously tracking and monitoring North Korea's development of underwater weapons such as nuclear torpedoes and SLBMs (submarine-launched ballistic missiles)." basis
It possesses overwhelming ground attack capabilities, and we will further strengthen our anti-submarine warfare capabilities and port protection posture." He continued, ``North Korea is a solid-fuel IRBM equipped with hypersonic missiles.
``The South Korean military is confident that it will be able to detect and intercept any missiles possessed by North Korea based on the U.S.-South Korea joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system and missile defense system.''
Possesses the ability to shoot. In order to respond to North Korea's increasingly sophisticated missile capabilities, we will move forward with the construction of a complex multi-layered defense system at a rapid pace."