North Korea building nuclear weapon stockpile, says Seoul

"If confirmed, the amount would also signal a sharp increase in North Korea's stockpile of nuclear material. Intelligence provided by civilian experts reveals that North Korea is operating four enrichment plants, he added. Even at this very hour, North Korea's uranium centrifuges are operating at four sites, Chung told reporters, only mentioning the known site of Yongbyon, which Pyongyang purportedly decommissioned after talks but later reactivated in 2021."

"the key material used to produce nuclear warheads, according to South Korea's defence ministry. Enrichment must be pushed to more than 90 percent, the concentration termed weapons-grade, to ensure that the critical mass sets off the chain reaction leading to a nuclear explosion. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 42kg (92.6 pounds) of highly enriched uranium is needed for one nuclear weapon; 2,000kg would be enough for roughly 47 nuclear bombs."

An assessment indicates Pyongyang possesses about 2,000 kg of highly enriched uranium at 90% purity or higher. Civilian intelligence indicates North Korea operates four uranium enrichment plants and centrifuges are currently active at four sites, including the Yongbyon facility reactivated in 2021. 42 kg of highly enriched uranium is estimated to be needed for one nuclear weapon, so 2,000 kg would suffice for roughly 47 bombs. Stopping North Korea's nuclear development is urgent. Sanctions will not be effective, and a summit between Pyongyang and Washington is proposed as the only solution. International diplomacy has been stalled since 2019.

Read at www.aljazeera.com