A South Korean lawmaker, citing intelligence reports, revealed on Thursday that North Korea possesses enough plutonium and uranium to produce at least dozens of nuclear weapons.
Lee Seong-kuyon, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, stated that South Korea’s intelligence agency believes it is also likely that North Korea could conduct a seventh nuclear test after the U.S. presidential election scheduled for November 5th.
A report by the Federation of American Scientists in July estimated that Pyongyang might have produced enough fissile material to create up to 90 nuclear warheads, although it may have assembled only around 50 of them.
The South Korean lawmaker noted that it is rare for North Korean state media to report on leader Kim Jong Un’s visit to a uranium enrichment facility, indicating that the report earlier this month was likely intended to send a message to Washington ahead of the U.S. presidential election.
Pyongyang claims that its nuclear arsenal and ballistic missiles are essential to counter threats from the United States and its allies.
