LOC12:25
09:25 GMT
TOKYO, Nov 2 (KUNA) -- North Korea is believed to have produced some 40
kilograms of plutonium, the main ingredient of an atomic bomb, and to be
miniaturizing nuclear weapons to improve their mobility, South Korea's defense
minister said Tuesday, local media reported.
"We believe that North Korea owns 40kg of plutonium and continues attempts
to miniaturize atomic weapons," Defense Minister Kim Tae-young told lawmakers
in Seoul, according to Yonhap News Agency. The US believes North Korea had
produced about 50 kg of the weapons material, which experts say would be
enough for six to eight atomic bombs.
Kim said North Korea's ballistic missiles could be used as "useful means"
to carry nuclear bombs along with its fleet of bombers, according to the
report. North Korea, which conducted two nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009, has
shown no signs that it owns a working nuclear bomb. Asked about the
possibility of another nuclear test by North Korea, Kim replied, "There is a
possibility, but no clear signs (of a third nuclear test) have been observed
yet."
North Korea has also made progress in its uranium enrichment program, which
could give Pyongyang a second way to develop nuclear weapons in addition to
the plutonium-based program, Kim said.
North Korea officially quit six-party talks, a forum aimed at ending its
nuclear development in exchange for incentives, in April last year and
conducted the second nuclear test a month later. The six-party talks, which
also involve South Korea, China, the US, Japan and Russia, were last held two
years ago.
Chances of their resumption have been dim after Seoul blamed Pyongyang for
sinking one of its warships in March, which killed 46 sailors. North Korea has
been beckoning other members recently, saying that it is willing to rejoin the
forum. South Korea demands that the communist neighbor shows in action its
willingness to denuclearize and apologize for the ship sinking. (end)
mk.gta
KUNA 021225 Nov 10NNNN