North Korea may conduct its seventh nuclear test after the US presidential elections in November. According to the spy agency of South Korea. A member of the South Korean National Assembly’s intelligence committee, Lee Seong Kweun, forwarded this information after a briefing from the National Intelligence Service or NIS.
Lee, meanwhile, said a nuclear test before the elections is possible. But added: “It is more likely to happen after the elections.” The NIS also suggested that any nuclear test would be performed along with other provocative acts, either launches or satellite tests.
The NIS estimated that North Korea now has about 70 kilograms of plutonium. And a considerable amount of highly enriched uranium, or HEU. This is enough to make dozens of nuclear weapons, analysts said. Lee said, “these moves may be a message to the US in the context of the upcoming US presidential election”. Domestically, this may aim to boost confidence as the North Korean economy continues to deteriorate.
Earlier this month, North Korean state media published photos of leader Kim Jong Un touring a uranium enrichment plant. The photos included pictures of centrifuges involved in making fuel for nuclear bombs. North Korea’s nuclear activities are prohibited under numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions. Since its initial nuclear test in 2006, North Korea has remained silent about the locations. And numbers of its uranium enrichment plants.
The plant for uranium enrichment could be at the nuclear complex in Kangson close to Pyongyang. The facility has been a cause of speculation by members of the international community. Since experts believe it improves North Korea’s nuclear capability goals.
On September 18, North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile eastward. A little earlier, the country test-fired a new 600mm multiple rocket launcher on September 12. These moves indicate North Korea’s continuous military developments notwithstanding international sanctions. And diplomatic efforts for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Simply put, that would mean the NIS thinks North Korea is gearing up for provocative actions. Especially after the US elections. In addition, the situation remains tense with the international community paying close attention to the actions of North Korea.
ANI
