ID :
35898
Tue, 12/16/2008 - 15:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/35898
The shortlink copeid
N. Korea could have as many as 20 nuclear bombs: lawmaker
SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- North Korea appears to have succeeded in developing small nuclear bombs light enough to be loaded onto conventional missiles, posing threats to neighboring states even greater than large weapons, a ruling party legislator said Tuesday.
Rep. Kim Hak-song of the Grand National Party said the communist nation could
have produced over 20 atomic bombs.
"The U.S. government says North Korea could have produced seven to eight nuclear
weapons while South Korea says it could have up to seven. These estimates are
correct if we consider that it takes 6-7 kilograms of plutonium to make a
20-kiloton warhead," Kim said at a security forum organized by the state-run
Korea Institute for Defense Analyses.
"But I think differently. If North Korea has succeeded in developing small-size
nuclear warheads, it takes not 6-7 kilograms but 2-3 kilograms of plutonium to
make each nuclear weapon, and if that is the case, the North could have produced
over 20 nuclear weapons," he said.
Kim currently chairs the National Assembly committee on national defense.
Seoul and Washington have long said the North could have produced up to some 40
kilograms of plutonium. Pyongyang claims it only has about half of that amount.
North Korea conducted its first-ever nuclear test in October 2006.
Washington has been refusing to recognize North Korea as a nuclear power despite
its 2006 test, but its Joint Forces Command last week categorized the communist
nation as one of five nuclear states in Asia in what the U.S. Defense Department
later called a mistake.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has also said in a published article that the
North "has built several bombs."
"We should recognize the existence of North's nuclear bombs and strengthen our
national defense against North Korea's possible nuclear threats," Kim said. "We
have to concentrate our effort to discourage North Korea from ever using its
nuclear weapons."
If North Korea has, in fact, succeeded in developing small, light-weight nuclear
weapons, it will significantly add to threats already posed by the communist
nation, Kim noted.
North Korea's existing long-range missiles, such as Taepodong II that technically
can reach Alaska and western parts of the U.S., are known to be capable of
carrying a payload of up to 500 kilograms.
"The U.S. would not have been so sensitive to Pyongyang's nuclear ambition if the
North did not have such missiles," Kim said.
Kim suggested South Korea and the U.S. should further improve their alliance to
deter any aggression from the North and develop a joint defense system that could
minimize damages should North Korea ever decide to use its nuclear arsenal.
brk@yna.co.kr
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
Rep. Kim Hak-song of the Grand National Party said the communist nation could
have produced over 20 atomic bombs.
"The U.S. government says North Korea could have produced seven to eight nuclear
weapons while South Korea says it could have up to seven. These estimates are
correct if we consider that it takes 6-7 kilograms of plutonium to make a
20-kiloton warhead," Kim said at a security forum organized by the state-run
Korea Institute for Defense Analyses.
"But I think differently. If North Korea has succeeded in developing small-size
nuclear warheads, it takes not 6-7 kilograms but 2-3 kilograms of plutonium to
make each nuclear weapon, and if that is the case, the North could have produced
over 20 nuclear weapons," he said.
Kim currently chairs the National Assembly committee on national defense.
Seoul and Washington have long said the North could have produced up to some 40
kilograms of plutonium. Pyongyang claims it only has about half of that amount.
North Korea conducted its first-ever nuclear test in October 2006.
Washington has been refusing to recognize North Korea as a nuclear power despite
its 2006 test, but its Joint Forces Command last week categorized the communist
nation as one of five nuclear states in Asia in what the U.S. Defense Department
later called a mistake.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has also said in a published article that the
North "has built several bombs."
"We should recognize the existence of North's nuclear bombs and strengthen our
national defense against North Korea's possible nuclear threats," Kim said. "We
have to concentrate our effort to discourage North Korea from ever using its
nuclear weapons."
If North Korea has, in fact, succeeded in developing small, light-weight nuclear
weapons, it will significantly add to threats already posed by the communist
nation, Kim noted.
North Korea's existing long-range missiles, such as Taepodong II that technically
can reach Alaska and western parts of the U.S., are known to be capable of
carrying a payload of up to 500 kilograms.
"The U.S. would not have been so sensitive to Pyongyang's nuclear ambition if the
North did not have such missiles," Kim said.
Kim suggested South Korea and the U.S. should further improve their alliance to
deter any aggression from the North and develop a joint defense system that could
minimize damages should North Korea ever decide to use its nuclear arsenal.
brk@yna.co.kr
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
