North Korea Develops Russian-Based EMP Weapons

This post is also available in: עברית (Hebrew)

According to the South Korean intelligence agency North Korea is using Russian technology to develop electromagnetic pulse weapons, aimed at paralyzing military electronic equipment south of the border.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) said in a report to parliament that the North had purchased Russian electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weaponry to develop its own versions.

iHLS – Israel Homeland Security

EMP weapons are used to damage electronic equipment. At higher energy levels, an EMP event can cause more widespread damage including to aircraft structures and other objects.

EMP blasts are caused by radiation particles generated during nuclear detonations. A pulse generated by a 1-megaton bomb detonating at high altitudes can cover an entire country, totally paralyzing all devices – including critical infrastructres – and effectively shutting everything down. No electricity, no communications, no transportation, co commerce – a high altitude EMP attack is nothing less than a large-scale disaster.