Pyongyang’s missile programme is going ahead as well. North Korea should already have 40-50 nuclear warheads and more than 650 ballistic missiles. Kim Jong-un is pursuing his military plans despite the country's disastrous economic situation, aggravated by the pandemic.
Seoul (AsiaNews) – North Korea pursued the development of its nuclear bombs and ballistic missile programmes in the first six months of this year in violation of international sanctions imposed by the United Nations, Reuters noted yesterday citing a UN report.
Except for China and to a lesser extent, Russia, North Korea is isolated internationally, under restrictions for years over its nuclear and missile programmes.
According to the UN report, Kim Jong-un's regime continues to seek material and technology for these programmes from foreign sources.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), North Korea has 40-50 nuclear warheads in its arsenal, up from 30-40 in in 2020.
Last November, the Institute for National Strategic Studies, a think tank affiliated with the National Defense University in Washington, reported that Pyongyang had about 650 ballistic missiles capable of striking South Korea, Eastern China and Japan.
The UN report also pointed out that despite the country's economic woes, aggravated by the pandemic and natural disasters, North Korean authorities have not stopped their military plans.
In June, North Korean strongman Kim Jong-un said the country was facing a difficult food situation.
A recent study by the Assessment Capacities Project, a Geneva-based NGO, found that more than 10 million North Koreans, out of a population of 25 million, needed humanitarian assistance.