Seoul estimates North Korea has processed more plutonium for nukes



News Seoul estimates North Korea has processed more plutonium for nukes White paper says stockpile has increased from 50 to 70 kg, as DPRK seeks fissile material for tactical nuclear weapons Jeongmin Kim February 16, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Kim Jong Un and his daughter inspect at least 26 unassembled Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) in this undated photo newly revealed in Sunday's plenum coverage \| Image: KCTV (Jan. 1, 2023) North Korea has likely increased its stockpile of plutonium for nuclear weapons, according to South Korea’s new defense white paper, the first time Seoul has reported an increase in six years. The report released Thursday states Pyongyang has around 70 kg of the fissile material as of Dec. 2022, up from the previous white paper’s estimate of 50 kg in 2020 and reportedly enough for around a dozen nuclear warheads. North Korea has likely increased its stockpile of plutonium for nuclear weapons, according to South Korea’s new defense white paper, the first time Seoul has reported an increase in six years. The report released Thursday states Pyongyang has around 70 kg of the fissile material as of Dec. 2022, up from the previous white paper’s estimate of 50 kg in 2020 and reportedly enough for around a dozen nuclear warheads. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

News

Seoul estimates North Korea has processed more plutonium for nukes

White paper says stockpile has increased from 50 to 70 kg, as DPRK seeks fissile material for tactical nuclear weapons

Jeongmin Kim February 16, 2023

Seoul estimates North Korea has processed more plutonium for nukes

Kim Jong Un and his daughter inspect at least 26 unassembled Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) in this undated photo newly revealed in Sunday's plenum coverage | Image: KCTV (Jan. 1, 2023)

North Korea has likely increased its stockpile of plutonium for nuclear weapons, according to South Korea’s new defense white paper, the first time Seoul has reported an increase in six years.

The report released Thursday states Pyongyang has around 70 kg of the fissile material as of Dec. 2022, up from the previous white paper’s estimate of 50 kg in 2020 and reportedly enough for around a dozen nuclear warheads.

Become a member for less
than $5.75 per week.

Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting

Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.

Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.

Seoul estimates North Korea has processed more plutonium for nukes

Become a member for less than $5.75 per week.

Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by <img width="226" height="50" class="logo" src="https://www.nknews.org/wp-content/themes/nknews/images/header-logo.png" alt="NK News Logo">

One more step!

Trending

Recent Stories

About the Author

Jeongmin Kim

Become a member for less
than $5.75 per week.

Start your day with
the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by