- Category
- Latest news
North Korea Churns Out Enough Nuclear Material for 20 Bombs a Year
- Authors
![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
North Korea continues to expand its nuclear weapons program, with the capacity to produce enough fissile material for up to 20 nuclear warheads each year, according to South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
The assessment was delivered during a press conference on January 21, as reported by AFP. Lee stated that despite international sanctions, North Korea remains capable of sustaining its weapons development efforts.
“Even now, North Korea continues to produce nuclear materials sufficient for the creation of 10 to 20 nuclear weapons a year,” he said, according to AFP.
In addition to increasing its supply of weapons-grade material, Pyongyang is advancing its intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities. Lee warned that these developments could pose a direct threat to the United States and other countries.
“At a certain point, North Korea will acquire the nuclear arsenal it believes necessary to preserve its regime, as well as the ability to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of threatening not only the United States but the entire world,” he said.
Lee also highlighted the need for a more pragmatic approach in addressing North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. He noted that halting the production of fissile material and freezing missile development could be in the strategic interest of both Washington and Beijing. He added that stopping exports of military technology would also serve broader regional stability.
Since taking office in June 2025, Lee has shifted South Korea’s policy approach, moving away from the confrontational stance of his predecessor, Yoon Suk-yeol. He has called for direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un without preconditions, though Pyongyang continues to frame its weapons program as a safeguard against perceived threats from the United States.
Earlier, reports citing a UN sanctions monitoring team said Russia had transferred a Pantsir‑S1 air defense system and electronic warfare equipment to North Korea, with Russian specialists assisting in upgrades to Pyongyang’s missile guidance and targeting capabilities.
-7f54d6f9a1e9b10de9b3e7ee663a18d9.png)
-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
