N Korea has up to 60 nuclear bombs: US army
A US army report has claimed that North Korea has between 20 to 60 nuclear bombs as well as a large stockpile of 20 different chemical weapons.
In a report published last month, the US Department of the Army headquarters said North Korea uses its weapons as a deterrent to countries seeking regime change.
The authors of the report, titled 'North Korean tactics', estimated that the country, which is formally known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), has between 20 to 60 nuclear bombs with the capability to produce six new devices each year.
"North Korea sought nuclear weapons because its leaders thought the threat of a nuclear attack would prevent other countries from contemplating a regime change," the report states.
The US Army also warned that it is "highly likely" North Korea has done research on biological weapons.
It says: "North Korea has a long-standing chemical weapons program with the capability to produce nerve, blister, blood, and choking agents, and likely possesses a large chemical weapons stockpile.
"It is estimated that the country possesses 2,500–5,000 tons of chemical weapons of approximately 20 different types, making it the third-largest possessor of chemical agents in the world.
"This includes highly toxic sarin and VX chemical agents. It is highly likely that the KPA would use chemical artillery shells."
The writers of the report explain that North Korea is not a signatory of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which outlaws the production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons.
"North Korea possibly has weaponized anthrax or smallpox that could be mounted on missiles for use against South Korean, US, or Japanese targets in the region," the report states.
"One of the most recent defectors, who was a KPAGF soldier, had been vaccinated against anthrax."
The US Army also notes that Kim Jong Un's regime has developed its cyberwarfare abilities and manages more 6,000 hackers, many of whom are based overseas.
Earlier this month a leaked UN report seen by Reuters, suggested the DPRK has “probably developed miniaturized nuclear devices to fit into the warheads of its ballistic missiles".
The report stated: “The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is continuing its nuclear program, including the production of highly enriched uranium and construction of an experimental light water reactor.
"A Member State assessed that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is continuing production of nuclear weapons."
After a summit between President Donald Trump and Mr. Kim broke down in Hanoi in February last year, negotiations between the two country's on Pyongyang's nuclear programs have stalled.
North Korea has been subjected to UN sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Mr Kim and Mr Trump have met three times since 2018, but failed to make progress on calls for Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons and North Korea's demands for an end to sanctions. Source: https://www.daily-bangladesh.com/
