North Korea said Saturday that it had successfully tested a new torpedo system equipped with artificial intelligence capabilities for detecting and guiding weapons towards targets.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the weapon, tested on Thursday, was a “super-speed, precisely guided” torpedo system named Zam-2.0. However, the report did not explain how artificial intelligence was incorporated into the system.
KCNA said the test also verified the torpedo's propulsion systems, which were developed through more than 180 tests conducted over the past five years.
South Korea's military, which has frequently accused Pyongyang of exaggerating its weapons capabilities, did not immediately comment on the report.
North Korea has stepped up its weapons demonstrations in recent weeks, including its first underwater-launched missile tests in nearly three years. Leader Kim Jong Un has increasingly focused on strengthening the country's naval capabilities following years of developing ballistic missiles.
Experts said the missile tests conducted on Wednesday likely involved a submarine that has yet to enter service. Pyongyang has said the vessel is designed to launch nuclear weapons.
North Korea also tested hypersonic missile systems with different ranges on Sept 20 and Oct 3 as it seeks to expand its arsenal of weapons intended to overcome missile defence systems in South Korea and Japan.
Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of the North Korean leader, claimed that the missiles tested on Oct 3 also incorporated artificial intelligence technology.
However, some experts believe that although North Korea may be improving its missile guidance software, its weapons are unlikely to possess highly advanced digital capabilities, such as autonomous target identification.
Kim has halted diplomatic engagement and cooperation with South Korea in recent years, describing the country as a permanent enemy, while nuclear negotiations with Washington remain deadlocked.
