North Korea says it tested new torpedo system with AI capabilities

SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea announced on Saturday that it had successfully tested a new torpedo system utilizing artificial intelligence for target detection and guidance, according to the Korean Central News Agency. The weapon, named Zam-2.0, was reportedly tested on Thursday and showcased super-speed and precise guidance capabilities.

The report mentioned that the test confirmed the torpedo's propulsion systems, which had undergone over 180 tests over the past five years. South Korea's military, typically skeptical of North Korea's claims, has yet to comment on the KCNA report.

In recent weeks, North Korea has intensified its military demonstrations, including conducting underwater-launched missile tests for the first time in nearly three years. This follows leader Kim Jong Un's recent shift in focus towards naval capabilities, as he prioritizes weapons development over ballistic missile advancements. Experts believe that the recent missile tests likely involved an as-yet-undeployed submarine, which Pyongyang claims is designed to launch nuclear weapons.

Furthermore, North Korea tested various hypersonic missile systems of different ranges on September 20 and October 3, as it continues to expand its arsenal of weapons capable of penetrating missile defenses in South Korea and Japan. Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, asserted that the missiles tested on October 3 also employed artificial intelligence technology.

However, some experts are skeptical, suggesting that while North Korea may be enhancing its guidance software, the country's weapons are unlikely to possess truly autonomous target designation capabilities driven by sophisticated digital systems. Over recent years, Kim Jong Un has maintained a state of permanent hostility towards South Korea, while the ongoing stalemate in nuclear negotiations with the United States continues unabated.