North Korea Says It Has ‘Weaponized’ Plutonium

Posted by Justin Bresolin

North Korea has declared “all-out confrontational posture” against neighboring South Korea, announcing that they have “weaponized” 30.8 kilograms of plutonium, sufficient for approximately 4-6 bombs. The threat has prompted heightened vigilance by South Korea on the fortified border.

Such threats have seen an increase since South Korean President Lee Myung-bak took office one year ago, vowing a tougher stance against North Korea, a departure from his long-held efforts to provide economic aid to the country. The recent statement is unusual in that it was delivered by a uniformed military official, and not a press officer. Purpose behind North Korean threats and statements are typically difficult to decipher, but it is suspected to be an effort to drive a wedge between South Korea and Washington, establishing negotiation terms in reaction to newly-elected US President Obama, as well as possibly indicating a desire to keep its nuclear arms, in spite of a 2005 agreement with 5 countries, including the US, to disarm.