Kim Jong-Un claims N. Korea has miniaturized nuclear warheads

Special to WorldTribune.com

North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un said that North Korean scientists have miniaturized nuclear warheads in what is a “true nuclear deterrent” for the isolated country.

The North Korean leader claimed the miniaturized warheads can be mounted on ballistic missiles and he has ordered the military to be prepared to launch pre-emptive attacks against the United States and South Korea and stand ready to use nuclear weapons, state media reported on March 9.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un meets with nuclear scientists and technicians in Pyongyang on March 9. /Reuters/KCNA
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un meets with nuclear scientists and technicians in Pyongyang on March 9. /Reuters/KCNA

“The nuclear warheads have been standardized to be fit for ballistic missiles by miniaturizing them,” KCNA quoted Kim as saying as he inspected the work of nuclear scientists, adding “this can be called a true nuclear deterrent.”

Kim “stressed the importance of building ever more powerful, precision and miniaturized nuclear weapons and their delivery means,” KCNA said.

Kim’s claims come as U.S. and South Korean troops began large-scale military drills this week. Pyongyang referred to the drills as “nuclear war moves” and threatened to respond with an all-out offensive.

The youthful leader also inspected the nuclear warhead designed for thermo-nuclear reaction, KCNA said, referring to a miniaturized hydrogen bomb that the country said it tested on Jan. 6.

Rodong Sinmun, official daily of the North’s ruling party, carried photos of the leader in what appeared to be a large hangar speaking to aides and standing in front of a silver spherical object.

South Korean and U.S. officials believe that North Korea has likely made some advances in trying to put a nuclear warhead on a missile, but that there is no proof it has mastered the technology.

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