North Korea may conduct nuclear test after US election: Spy agency

by IANS |

Seoul, Sep 26 (IANS) North Korea may carry out its seventh nuclear test after the US presidential vote in November, South Korea's spy agency was quoted as telling lawmakers Thursday.


The National Intelligence Service (NIS) made the assessment to the parliamentary intelligence committee, saying Pyongyang has other options, such as an intercontinental ballistic missile test, according to Rep. Lee Seong-Kweun of the ruling People Power Party and Rep. Park Sun-won of the main opposition Democratic Party.


The NIS also reported that the North possesses around 70 kilograms of plutonium and a significant amount of highly enriched uranium (HEU), which is sufficient to build a two-digit number of nuclear weapons.


The agency said the North appears to have the US election in mind when it disclosed an HEU facility for the first time earlier this month. The disclosure could also be targeted at instilling confidence in the domestic audience struggling with the country's crippling economy, the NIS reported.


"Externally, it can be interpreted as a move conscious of the US ahead of its presidential election, while internally it appears to be an attempt to boost confidence among the population amid the extremely dire economic situation," Lee said, Yonhap news agency reported.


Earlier this month, North Korean state media publicly disclosed details of its uranium enrichment facility for the first time in the form of leader Kim Jong-un's visit there, but it did not disclose the location of the facility or date of Kim's visit.


As to the facility's location, the NIS said it is likely to be the Kangson nuclear complex near Pyongyang, though it is hard to give a definite answer.


The agency said the North's test launch of new tactical ballistic missiles on Sept. 18 was aimed at verifying its precision strike capability. One of the two missiles fired successfully reached the target, the NIS said, calling it a "slight improvement from the past."

Latest News
2nd Test: Rain threat looms as India look to seal series, Bangladesh eye stronger fight Thu, Sep 26, 2024, 04:59 PM
Israel denies agreeing to Lebanon ceasefire Thu, Sep 26, 2024, 04:58 PM
India's electronics production reach Rs 9.52 lakh cr, mobile exports cross Rs 1.2 lakh cr Thu, Sep 26, 2024, 04:55 PM
50 new pharma manufacturing plants under PLI scheme to be completed in 2 years: Centre Thu, Sep 26, 2024, 04:54 PM
North Korea may conduct nuclear test after US election: Spy agency Thu, Sep 26, 2024, 04:53 PM
India’s pharmaceutical sector projected to reach $130 billion by 2030 Thu, Sep 26, 2024, 04:51 PM
Cong, NC & PDP are private limited companies: Yogi Adityanath Thu, Sep 26, 2024, 04:48 PM
South Korean man kidnapped by criminal gang in Peru safely rescued Thu, Sep 26, 2024, 04:47 PM
'Atmosphere was so chill': Chess Olympiad winners share insights from meeting with PM Modi Thu, Sep 26, 2024, 04:44 PM
Is Kiran Choudhry still trying to bring Selja over to BJP? A big hint here Thu, Sep 26, 2024, 04:39 PM
India rising on defence industrial landscape of the world Thu, Sep 26, 2024, 04:34 PM
Indonesia seizes five foreign fishing vessels for illegal activities Thu, Sep 26, 2024, 04:33 PM
GreenLine partners with Sterlite Copper to enhance sustainable logistics Thu, Sep 26, 2024, 04:32 PM
Sensex closes at all-time high, Auto stocks shine Thu, Sep 26, 2024, 04:30 PM
Japan launches H2A rocket carrying information-gathering satellite Thu, Sep 26, 2024, 04:29 PM