North Korea has not yet obtained technology to miniaturize a nuclear warhead to put it atop a missile, South Korea’s spy agency said Tuesday, amid the repeated claims by Pyongyang that it has already secured the technology.
During a parliamentary audit, the National Intelligence Service also told lawmakers that although Pyongyang is preparing for a nuclear test, there are no signs of an impending test.
The NIS statement came as concerns are growing that the North has been steadily enhancing its nuclear weapons capabilities.
During the North’s military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of its ruling Workers’ Party, the North’s Korean Central Television reported that the strategic rockets displayed at the parade were equipped with “diversified, miniaturized” nuclear warheads that have “super-precision” strike capabilities.
At the parade, the North unveiled the upgraded ICBM, called “KN-08,” which is presumed to be able to travel some 12,000 km — far enough to strike the U.S. mainland — and other formidable weapons systems.
Lawmakers who were present at the audit of the NIS said that the agency evaluated the capabilities of the North’s weapons systems at the parade as “not excellent.”
As for the reason why the North did not push ahead with its long-range rocket test around the anniversary day, the NIS said that the Pyongyang was not yet prepared for a missile launch, and that its ally Beijing had categorically opposed the destabilizing act.
Although it hinted repeatedly that it would launch a “satellite” around the Oct. 10 anniversary day, the North did not press ahead with it. Pyongyang has also hinted at the possibility of another nuclear test, stressing the need to strengthen “nuclear deterrence” against the U.S.
During the audit, the NIS also said that an increasing number of North Korean officials posted overseas have defected to the South. As of October, 20 North Korean officials defected to the South while 18 took asylum here last year.
Among those officials are high-level North Korean elites, the NIS said.
As for the health condition of Kim Kyong-hui, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s only aunt, the NIS said that her health is not bad, and she is currently being treated in Pyongyang.
Kim has not been shown in the North’s state media, spawning speculation that she is bedridden with diseases ranging from heart-related problems to dementia and cancer.
By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)
