A South Korean lawmaker has stated that North Korea possesses sufficient plutonium and uranium to manufacture at least a double-digit number of nuclear weapons, referencing information from the country’s intelligence agency.
The agency also foresees the possibility of North Korea conducting a seventh nuclear test following the U.S. presidential election on November 5, according to Lee Seong-kweun, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, who spoke on Thursday.
A report released in July by the Federation of American Scientists suggested that North Korea may have produced enough fissile material to create up to 90 nuclear warheads, although it has likely assembled around 50.
Lee noted that it is unusual for North Korean state media to cover leader Kim Jong Un’s visit to a uranium enrichment facility, indicating that the report published earlier this month might be aimed at sending a signal to Washington before the U.S. elections.
He also mentioned that the report may serve domestic purposes, as the economic situation is reportedly dire: “It could be interpreted as an act to instill confidence in residents,” he said.
In related news, North Korea claims its arsenal of nuclear weapons and the ballistic missiles designed to deliver them are essential for countering threats from the U.S. and its allies. The regime often emphasizes these weapons as a symbol of national prestige and an indication of the country’s strength.
The North Korean Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA), which serves as the country’s rubber-stamp parliament, is scheduled to convene a new session on October 7 in Pyongyang. During this meeting, amendments to the constitution may be proposed, potentially redefining boundaries with South Korea, according to Lee. The last SPA session took place in January when Kim Jong Un advocated for a constitutional change designating South Korea as the “primary foe.”
