North Korea has reportedly enriched enough uranium to build a “double-digit” number of nuclear bombs and is progressing in developing more advanced and accurate missiles aimed at rival South Korea, according to a briefing by Seoul’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) to lawmakers on Thursday.
This assessment follows North Korea’s recent rare disclosure of a secret facility for producing weapons-grade uranium, as leader Kim Jong Un emphasized his intent to “exponentially” increase the nation’s nuclear arsenal. Lawmakers were informed that Kim’s reveal of the facility likely serves as a defiant message to Washington in light of the upcoming U.S. presidential election, as well as a way to showcase military advancements domestically amid ongoing economic challenges.
The NIS indicated that North Korea possesses approximately 70 kilograms (154 pounds) of plutonium, in addition to a significant but unspecified quantity of weapons-grade uranium, sufficient for building “at least a double-digit number” of nuclear weapons. Although the exact location of the uranium enrichment facility visited by Kim on September 13 remains undisclosed, analysts believe it to be situated in Kangson, near Pyongyang. Alongside the Yongbyon nuclear complex, Kangson is one of two confirmed sites linked to uranium enrichment activities, though experts suspect the existence of additional hidden sites.
Following Kim’s visit to the enrichment facility, North Korea conducted missile tests, flaunting its military capabilities amid escalating tensions with Washington and Seoul. Reports from North Korean state media indicate that the tests involved two new missile types, one designed for “super-large” conventional warheads and the other classified as a “strategic” cruise missile, potentially developed for nuclear strikes.
Speculation arises that North Korea may ramp up pressure on the U.S. by conducting a nuclear test before the presidential election. However, the South Korean spy agency suggests that North Korea might delay any nuclear test until after the election, opting instead to pursue other actions like testing a long-range missile aimed at the U.S. mainland or launching a military reconnaissance satellite.