Intel: North Korea's Uranium Enough for Double-Digit Bomb Arsenal

Seoul spies warn of growing North Korean nuclear capabilities
By Newser.AI Read our AI policy
Posted Sep 26, 2024 2:53 PM CDT
Intel: North Korea's Uranium Enough for Double-Digit Bomb Arsenal
This undated photo provided on Sept. 13, 2024, by the North Korean government shows its leader Kim Jong Un, center, on an inspecting visit at what they say is an institute of nuclear weapons and a facility for nuclear materials at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Independent journalists were...   (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File)

North Korea has potentially amassed enough enriched uranium to construct a "double-digit" number of nuclear bombs and is advancing its missile technology, according to Seoul's National Intelligence Service. The intelligence was revealed in a closed parliamentary briefing. This disclosure follows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's recent public visit to a facility producing weapons-grade uranium, demonstrating his intent to "exponentially" boost the nation's nuclear arsenal.

The South Korean intelligence agency detailed that North Korea possesses approximately 154 pounds of plutonium and ample weapons-grade uranium and could build "at least a double-digit number" of weapons. Two key sites, Yongbyon and a suspected facility in Kangson near Pyongyang, are linked to these uranium enrichment activities. Analysts believe even more undisclosed enrichment locations exist within North Korea. Kim's facility visit was likely a show of defiance directed at the US. The South Korean agency suggests North Korea might delay its next nuclear test until after the US presidential election, opting to test other provocative measures first, such as a long-range missile or reconnaissance satellite launch. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)

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