The state news agency KCNA said the navy’s latest test proved a new torpedo’s AI‑driven guidance and propulsion after more than 180 trials over five years—an achievement the ministry called a "significant step in naval development".
The torpedo’s propulsion system, refined through a series of 180 tests, can reach speeds exceeding 50 knots. Its onboard AI sifts radar data in real time to lock onto moving targets, allowing the weapon to evade modern anti‑ship defenses.
This launch follows the week‑long parade of tests that saw Pyongyang fire two submarine‑launched cruise missiles and a hypersonic missile from a refurbished vessel. The navy’s push for modern warships and missile submarines underscores a broader strategy to break out of conventional deterrence.
South Korea’s President Lee Jae‑Myung highlighted the country’s own hypersonic test last week, while U.S. officials warned that North Korea’s new capabilities could spark an arms race on the peninsula.
The ministry has announced plans for additional sea trials next month, with the aim of integrating the torpedo into patrol vessels by year‑end.