North Korea Could Produce Double-Digit Number of Nuclear Weapons, MP States

By Hyunsu Yim

SEOUL – A South Korean lawmaker revealed on Thursday that North Korea possesses sufficient plutonium and uranium to create at least a significant number of nuclear weapons, according to the country’s intelligence agency.

The agency has indicated the possibility of North Korea conducting a seventh nuclear test following the upcoming U.S. presidential election on November 5. Lee Seong-kweun, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, made these statements during a news briefing.

A report from the Federation of American Scientists in July estimated that North Korea may have produced enough fissile material for up to 90 nuclear warheads, although it is believed that closer to 50 have been assembled so far.

Lee noted that it is uncommon for North Korean state media to report on leader Kim Jong Un’s visits to uranium enrichment facilities, suggesting that the recent report aimed to send a signal to Washington in advance of the U.S. election. He also mentioned that this report could serve domestic purposes, particularly as North Korea faces economic difficulties.

“It was said that the economic situation is dire, so it could be interpreted as an act to instill confidence in residents,” Lee remarked.

North Korea maintains that its nuclear arsenal and ballistic missiles are essential for countering threats from the United States and its allies. Additionally, the regime often promotes these weapons as symbols of national prestige and evidence of its power.

The North Korean Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA), the nation’s nominal parliament, is scheduled to reconvene on October 7 in Pyongyang. During this session, it is anticipated that the North may consider constitutional amendments and take further measures aimed at delineating new boundaries with the South.

The last SPA meeting occurred in January, during which Kim called for a constitutional amendment designating South Korea as the “primary foe.”