South Korea says North Korea could produce 20 nuclear bombs annually

The South Korean president says North Korea could produce 10-20 nuclear weapons each year and is close to completing an ICBM capable of reaching the US mainland.

"North Korea has almost completed development of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the US, and they are continuing to enhance their production capacity to produce 10-20 nuclear bombs annually," South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said on 25/8, referring to North Korea's weapons capabilities.

Lee made the statement while speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) during his first visit to the US since taking office. He did not specify the source of this information.

In his speech, Lee mentioned South Korea's firm policy toward North Korea and the lack of dialogue frameworks between the two countries under the previous administration.

South Korean President speaks at CSIS headquarters in Washington, US on 25/8. Photo: AP

"We have made efforts to deter North Korea and impose sanctions, but the result is that Pyongyang continues its nuclear program," Lee said. "The reality is that the number of nuclear weapons North Korea possesses has increased over the past three to four years."

Lee affirmed South Korea's commitment to using only conventional weapons to deter North Korea. He added that efforts have been made to reduce actions considered provocative, such as halting anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts along the border.

The South Korean president spoke at CSIS headquarters after meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House. At the meeting, Trump expressed hope to meet again with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this year.

North Korea has not commented on the statements by Trump and Lee. Kim Jong-un, on 19/8, declared that Pyongyang needs to "rapidly expand" its nuclear weapons program in response to "hostile intentions" from joint military exercises between South Korea and the US.

According to a July 2024 report by the Federation of American Scientists, North Korea has enough fissile material to build 70-90 nuclear warheads and has produced about 50 complete warheads.

Lee Sang-kyu, a nuclear technology expert at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, estimates that North Korea currently possesses 80-90 warheads using uranium and plutonium, and this number could increase to 166 by 2030.

North Korea possesses various missiles capable of reaching parts or all of the US. The Hwasong-18 is one of its most powerful ICBMs, estimated to have a range of 15,000 km if launched at an optimal angle, enough to reach any location within the US, and capable of carrying one or more warheads with a total weight of 1.25-1.5 tons.

North Korea's Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile leaves the launch pad in December 2023. Photo: KCNA

North Korea's Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile leaves the launch pad in December 2023. Photo: KCNA

According to a report published on 20/8 by CSIS, North Korea has 15-20 undisclosed ballistic missile bases, maintenance and support facilities, and storage sites for missiles and warheads.

One of these is the Sinpung-dong base, located about 27 km from the border with China. This facility appears capable of deploying six to nine nuclear-capable ICBMs and mobile launchers.

Pham Giang (According to AFP, AP)

By VnExpress: https://vnexpress.net/han-quoc-noi-trieu-tien-co-the-san-xuat-20-bom-hat-nhan-moi-nam-4931472.html