Dozens of warheads… a very dangerous increase in North Korea’s nuclear capabilities
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, warned that North Korea is showing a “very dangerous increase” in its capacity to manufacture nuclear weapons.
Speaking at a press conference in South Korea, Grossi said: “In our periodic assessments, we have been able to confirm a rapid increase in operations” at the Yongbyon nuclear reactor.
He added: “All of this points to a very dangerous increase in North Korea’s capabilities in the field of nuclear weapons production, estimated at several dozen warheads.”
This comes a week after North Korea announced that it had conducted a series of advanced military tests, including the launch of a short-range ballistic missile equipped with a cluster warhead.
The missile, of the “Hwasong-11Ga” (KN-23) type, is fitted with a cluster warhead, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
The agency reported that these tests were carried out from April 6 to 8, with the participation of the Academy of Defense Sciences and the Missile Directorate, as part of what it described as “tests of important weapons systems” aimed at enhancing combat capabilities and developing weapons systems.
It explained that the Ballistic Missile Systems Research Institute, in cooperation with the Warhead Research Institute, conducted a test to assess the operational usability of the dispersal warhead, along with testing the power of the associated submunitions.
In February, North Korea unveiled a large-caliber multiple rocket launcher (600 mm) during an official ceremony in Pyongyang.
The agency said that 50 launchers were produced within two months at military industrial facilities and presented during a large military parade reflecting the system’s transition into actual deployment.
Leader Kim Jong Un stated that it is “suitable for a special attack to carry out a strategic mission” — a phrase usually used to imply possible nuclear use — emphasizing the integration of artificial intelligence technologies and an advanced guidance system to improve accuracy and reduce response time.
In 2005, North Korea acknowledged having a program dedicated to producing nuclear weapons. The following year, Pyongyang announced the success of its first nuclear test. Its stockpile is currently estimated at several dozen warheads.
