North Korea may have up to 2,000 kg of highly enriched uranium, South Korean Minister warns
Photo: South Korea has released an assessment of Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal (Getty Images)
South Korea stated that Pyongyang could have up to 2,000 kg of highly enriched uranium, enough to make dozens of bombs, Yonhap reports.
South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young emphasized that in recent years, Pyongyang has been actively expanding its nuclear capabilities.
"It is urgent to stop (it). Even at this very hour, uranium centrifuges at four locations (in North Korea) are running, probably accumulating nuclear materials," Dong-young said.
According to South Korea’s Unification Minister, "estimates (by experts) suggest North Korea possesses up to 2,000 kg of highly enriched uranium at 90 percent and higher." Dong-young clarified that 10-12 kg is enough to produce a single bomb.
The Unification Minister stressed that international sanctions can no longer compel North Korea to abandon its nuclear program. In contrast, the resumption of dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington, he said, represents a "breakthrough" capable of advancing the denuclearization process.
"It will be desirable for (North Korea-US talks) to take place as soon as possible," Dong-young added.
Prospects for inter-Korean relations
Dong-young believes that restarting talks between North Korea and the US could also open the door for revitalizing inter-Korean relations. He assured that the South Korean government will do everything possible to create favorable conditions for dialogue.
The statement came shortly after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un spoke at a parliamentary session, reiterating his interest in talks with the US, but only on the condition of abandoning demands for denuclearization. At the same time, he ruled out dialogue with Seoul and categorically rejected the idea of unifying the two Koreas.
Seoul's position and call for peace
Despite Pyongyang's hardline rhetoric, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's administration reiterated its commitment to a course of peace through dialogue and mutual exchanges.
Speaking this week at the UN General Assembly, Lee stressed that the time of hostility on the Korean Peninsula must end and assured that Seoul does not plan to take aggressive actions.
In a BBC interview, Lee also stated that South Korea is ready to accept a potential deal between US President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un on freezing North Korea's nuclear programs as a "realistic alternative" on the path to full denuclearization.
Possible restriction of exercises near border
In parallel, Dong-young reported that his ministry is negotiating with the South Korean Defense Ministry to halt live-fire exercises and military field training near the inter-Korean border.
"It is the unification ministry's position that it is fair to suspend shooting drills and field trainings in regions near the Demilitarized Zone even before the restoration of the Sept. 19 agreement," South Korea’s Minister explained, referring to the frozen inter-Korean pact on reducing border tensions.
North Korea's nuclear weapons
Earlier, Kim Jong-un announced that North Korea will introduce a new policy aimed at the simultaneous development of nuclear forces and conventional armed forces.
In July, Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, stated that the United States must recognize the new reality. According to Yo-jong, North Korea's nuclear program will no longer be subject to future negotiations.
Previously, Western media released satellite images showing that Kim Jong-un had disguised a new missile launch complex as a golf course.
In addition, the North Korean leader ordered full readiness for the use of nuclear weapons to ensure the country's most effective defense.
