South Korea Reports North Korea Possesses Up to Two Tons of Highly Enriched Uranium, Centrifuges Active at Four Sites

Seoul's Assessment on DPRK's Uranium Stockpile

South Korea's Unification Minister, Chung Dong-young, announced on Thursday that North Korea is estimated to possess up to two tons (2,000 kilograms) of highly enriched uranium (HEU). This significant stockpile is believed to be sufficient for a considerable number of nuclear weapons. The minister further indicated that uranium enrichment centrifuges are currently operational at four sites across the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The assessment of the 2,000 kg HEU stockpile is attributed to estimates by experts, including the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), and intelligence agencies. While initially citing intelligence, the Unification Ministry later clarified that the figure was based on civilian expert analyses.

Details on Enrichment Activities and Potential

Minister Chung emphasized the continuous operation of uranium centrifuges, stating, 'Even at this very hour, North Korea's uranium centrifuges are operating at four sites.' While the specific locations of all four sites were not disclosed, the well-known Yongbyon nuclear site is believed to be one of them. North Korea has previously provided glimpses of a uranium enrichment facility at Yongbyon to foreign experts in 2010, and satellite imagery has suggested expansion at the site.

The reported quantity of highly enriched uranium, with a purity of 90 percent or higher, represents a substantial capacity for nuclear weapons production. Experts suggest that 2,000 kg of HEU could be enough for roughly 47 nuclear bombs, based on the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) estimate of 42 kg per weapon, or potentially up to 100 nuclear weapons if a lower threshold of 20 kg is considered per device.

International Concerns and Calls for Dialogue

This report from Seoul underscores persistent international concerns regarding North Korea's advancing nuclear program. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has repeatedly called for an 'exponential' expansion of his country's nuclear arsenal and has declared its status as a nuclear weapons state 'irreversible.' Despite this, Kim has also indicated openness to talks with the United States, provided he can retain his nuclear capabilities.

Minister Chung stressed that 'stopping North Korea's nuclear development is an urgent matter.' He suggested that the resumption of US-North Korea talks could serve as a 'breakthrough' in stalled denuclearization efforts, arguing that sanctions alone may not be effective. North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006 and remains under a raft of United Nations sanctions for its prohibited weapons programs.