South Korean Intelligence Warns North Korea Capable of Building Double-Digit Nuclear Arsenal.

According to South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS), North Korea has accumulated enough plutonium and highly enriched uranium to build a "double-digit" number of nuclear bombs, as reported by Reuters. This information, revealed during a closed-door parliamentary briefing, has heightened concerns over Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities. The briefing followed recent public statements by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un regarding the expansion of his nuclear arsenal, as well as the rare disclosure earlier this month of a secret uranium enrichment facility.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The country’s intercontinental missile program, including the Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-15, poses a major strategic threat, capable of targeting distant territories, including the United States (Picture source: KCNA)

The intelligence report estimates that North Korea possesses around 70 kilograms of plutonium, a key ingredient for nuclear weapons, along with a significant, though unspecified, amount of weapons-grade uranium. Combined, these materials would be sufficient to produce at least ten nuclear bombs. These developments align with North Korea’s broader goal of "exponentially" increasing its stockpile of nuclear weapons, as recently stated by Kim Jong-un.

North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic programs continue to advance, with significant improvements in terms of accuracy and power. The South Korean intelligence agency also highlighted North Korea’s progress in missile technology, particularly in developing more precise and powerful systems capable of targeting South Korea. The NIS has not ruled out the possibility of a seventh nuclear test, speculating that such an event could take place after the U.S. presidential election in November.

Kim Jong-un’s visit to the Nuclear Weapons Institute in September underscored North Korea’s ambitions to further expand its nuclear arsenal. This visit, which included an inspection of facilities producing military-grade nuclear materials, reinforced the regime’s commitment to strengthening its strategic deterrence capabilities. These actions come despite long-standing international sanctions and diplomatic efforts aimed at denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea and its allies are closely monitoring these developments, concerned about the growing threat posed by North Korea’s expanding nuclear capabilities. This concern is heightened by Pyongyang’s continued missile testing and development, including those designed to carry nuclear warheads.

In response to the increasing obsolescence of its conventional military capabilities, North Korea has focused for decades on developing asymmetric capabilities and weapons of mass destruction, including long-range ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons. The country has a range of short- and medium-range missiles, such as the Scud and No-Dong missiles, along with more modern systems like the KN-23 and KN-25. Significant advancements include the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) like the Hwasong-14, with a range of 10,400 km, and the Hwasong-15, still in development, with an estimated range between 8,500 and 13,000 km.

North Korea has also made progress in miniaturizing its nuclear weapons, allowing them to be integrated into its ballistic missiles. The country’s intercontinental missile program, including the Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-15, poses a major strategic threat, capable of targeting distant territories, including the United States. Continued development of ballistic missile and nuclear technologies remains central to Pyongyang’s strategy to deter external intervention and ensure the regime’s survival.

The latest intelligence assessments suggest that North Korea now has the capacity to produce a significant number of nuclear weapons, with further advancements expected in the near future. As the regime continues to progress in both nuclear and missile domains, regional security dynamics are likely to face increasing pressure. The possibility of further nuclear tests and the expansion of North Korea’s arsenal remain key concerns for South Korea and the international community.