A US research institute’s report that North Korea might have made rapid strides in its nuclear weapons production causes concern and exposes the inability of the international community to thwart the communist state’s nuclear ambitions. The Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) estimates that Pyongyang could have added six or more weapons to its arsenal in the last 18 months, while it had 10 to 16 nuclear weapons at the end of 2014. This is in addition to another dangerous, simultaneous move from North Korea -- the possible increased production of highly enriched uranium at a second centrifuge plant that exists somewhere in the country.
The latest US report must serve as a warning to the UN and the world that Pyongyang will soon reach a point of no return in its nuclear capabilities. Its rulers had announced at a congress of the ruling Workers’ Party last month that the government of Kim Jong-un would bolster its nuclear weapons capability. It carried out a fourth nuclear test in January and a satellite launch in February. Often, there are tall claims from officials about the progress the country is making in its nuclear weapons development, all of which are not completely true, but there is a consensus that Pyongyang is marching slowly towards its objectives. The latest finding supports this argument. A US State Department official had said recently that North Korea had restarted production of plutonium fuel. Plutonium can be used to make nuclear weapons.
International sanctions are already in place against North Korea and more sanctions are on the way for every violation of international rules. But sanctions haven’t been effective in achieving their objectives, though they have made the lives of ordinary North Koreans miserable.
But amid this gloomy scenario, there comes a positive development. China yesterday released a list of dual-use goods banned for export to North Korea on the ground that the items could be used to build weapons of mass destruction. The Chinese action is in line with the UN sanctions imposed in March in response to a North Korean nuclear test in January. It’s a welcome move and must be followed with tougher actions by Beijing against North Korea. China is the only country which has a huge influence over North Korea and it has the capability to control its ally’s nuclear ambitions. China has been more cooperative and responsive in this regard recently because it realises that Pyongyang’s recklessness can destabilise the region and push it into a war.
A US research institute’s report that North Korea might have made rapid strides in its nuclear weapons production causes concern and exposes the inability of the international community to thwart the communist state’s nuclear ambitions. The Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) estimates that Pyongyang could have added six or more weapons to its arsenal in the last 18 months, while it had 10 to 16 nuclear weapons at the end of 2014. This is in addition to another dangerous, simultaneous move from North Korea -- the possible increased production of highly enriched uranium at a second centrifuge plant that exists somewhere in the country.
The latest US report must serve as a warning to the UN and the world that Pyongyang will soon reach a point of no return in its nuclear capabilities. Its rulers had announced at a congress of the ruling Workers’ Party last month that the government of Kim Jong-un would bolster its nuclear weapons capability. It carried out a fourth nuclear test in January and a satellite launch in February. Often, there are tall claims from officials about the progress the country is making in its nuclear weapons development, all of which are not completely true, but there is a consensus that Pyongyang is marching slowly towards its objectives. The latest finding supports this argument. A US State Department official had said recently that North Korea had restarted production of plutonium fuel. Plutonium can be used to make nuclear weapons.
International sanctions are already in place against North Korea and more sanctions are on the way for every violation of international rules. But sanctions haven’t been effective in achieving their objectives, though they have made the lives of ordinary North Koreans miserable.
But amid this gloomy scenario, there comes a positive development. China yesterday released a list of dual-use goods banned for export to North Korea on the ground that the items could be used to build weapons of mass destruction. The Chinese action is in line with the UN sanctions imposed in March in response to a North Korean nuclear test in January. It’s a welcome move and must be followed with tougher actions by Beijing against North Korea. China is the only country which has a huge influence over North Korea and it has the capability to control its ally’s nuclear ambitions. China has been more cooperative and responsive in this regard recently because it realises that Pyongyang’s recklessness can destabilise the region and push it into a war.