North Korea claims to have successfully trialled a new torpedo mechanism incorporating artificial intelligence for target detection and guidance, state media reported on Saturday.
The Korean Central News Agency stated that Thursday's test involved a "super-speed, precisely guided" system designated as Zam-2.0, without elaborating on what the artificial intelligence entailed.
The coverage added that the operation successfully confirmed the viability of the weapon's propulsion systems, following more than 180 evaluations over the past five years.
South Korea’s military, which regularly accuses the North of overstating its technological advances, offered no immediate comment on the official KCNA report.
Pyongyang has been escalating its military displays in recent weeks, including conducting its initial underwater-launched missile trials in almost three years, as leader Kim Jong Un redirects emphasis to maritime strength following prolonged ballistic missile advancement.
Analysts believe the missile tests carried out Wednesday likely featured a yet-to-be-deployed submarine Pyongyang says is built to launch nuclear arms.
North Korea also tested hypersonic missile systems of various ranges on 20 September and 3 October as it seeks to expand its arsenal of weapons designed to overwhelm missile defenses in South Korea and Japan.
Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, claimed that the missiles tested on 3 October also used artificial intelligence technology.
But some experts say that while North Korea is likely improving its guidance software, it's doubtful that the country's weapons really have advanced digital capabilities such as autonomous target designation.
Kim Jong Un in recent years has halted all diplomacy and cooperation with South Korea and described it as a permanent enemy, as a years-long stalemate in nuclear negotiations with Washington drags on.
North Korea has also conducted live-fire drills and commissioned a new warship in recent weeks as Mr Kim has continued to reject American and South Korean offers to resume long-stalled diplomacy.
Mr Kim has halted all diplomacy and cooperation with the rival neighbour and described it as a permanent enemy, amid a years-long stalemate in larger nuclear negotiations with Washington.
He has so far rebuffed US president Donald Trump’s calls to revive their diplomacy, which broke down in 2019. His government has called for Washington to abandon its “hostile” policy towards Pyongyang and drop demands for North Korea’s denuclearisation as a precondition for talks.
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