The South Korean National Intelligence Service revealed that North Korea currently possesses enough plutonium and highly enriched uranium to produce double-digit number of nuclear weapons, but it is estimated that North Korea is more likely to conduct a nuclear test after the US presidential election.
According to reports from the South Korean news agency, the head of the National Intelligence Service informed the South Korean parliamentary intelligence committee that their analysis indicates North Korea has around 70 kilograms of plutonium and a significant amount of highly enriched uranium, which could be used to manufacture double-digit number of nuclear weapons, along with indications of accelerated uranium enrichment activities. South Korea is closely monitoring whether North Korea will initiate new nuclear reactor activities.
North Korea launched a new type of tactical ballistic missile on the 18th of this month. The National Intelligence Service stated that North Korea launched two missiles, with one reaching its target, showing progress compared to previous launches, further escalating the threat North Korea poses to South Korea’s security.
The agency believes that North Korea may conduct its seventh nuclear test after the US presidential election on November 5th.
In recent times, North Korea and Russia have improved and strengthened their bilateral relations, with Russia providing economic aid such as refined petroleum to North Korea. The head of the National Intelligence Service stated that North Korea is exchanging weapons and ammunition for Russian reconnaissance satellite technology support, a situation that is particularly concerning.
The National Intelligence Service also mentioned that on the contrary, relations between North Korea and China have deteriorated sharply, especially during the process of regulating or replacing North Korean laborers in China, leading to a psychological game between North Korea and China.
After receiving a briefing from the National Intelligence Service, South Korean parliamentary intelligence committee member Lee Sung-geun told reporters that North Korean state media reports on leader Kim Jong-un visiting a uranium enrichment facility are very rare, indicating that the report released earlier this month may be intended to convey a message to Washington ahead of the US presidential election.
Lee Sung-geun also stated that the report on this visit may also serve domestic propaganda purposes, saying, “It is said that the economic situation is severe, so this could be seen as a measure to enhance public confidence.”
(This article is based on reporting from Reuters)