According to a recent closed-door parliamentary briefing by South Korea's National Intelligence Service, North Korea has likely enriched enough uranium to build a 'double-digit' number of bombs. The briefing revealed that North Korea is also advancing its efforts to develop more powerful and accurate missiles targeting South Korea.
Leader Kim Jong Un recently disclosed a secretive facility for producing weapons-grade uranium, signaling his intention to 'exponentially' increase the country's stock of nuclear weapons. The South Korean agency estimates that North Korea possesses about 70 kilograms of plutonium and a significant amount of weapons-grade uranium, enough to build 'at least a double-digit number' of weapons.
The uranium enrichment facility visited by Kim Jong Un is believed to be located in Kangson, near Pyongyang, along with the main nuclear complex in Yongbyon. Analysts suggest that North Korea may have other undisclosed sites for uranium enrichment.
Following Kim's visit to the uranium enrichment site, North Korea conducted missile tests involving new missiles designed for precision strikes on South Korean targets. The tests included missiles capable of delivering 'super-large' conventional warheads and a 'strategic' cruise missile, potentially developed for nuclear strikes.
North Korea's recent actions are seen as a display of its military capabilities amid escalating tensions with the United States and South Korea. While there is speculation that North Korea may conduct a nuclear test before the U.S. presidential election, the South Korean spy agency believes that North Korea may opt to test-fire a long-range missile or launch a military reconnaissance satellite first.
