South Korea’s top official on North Korean affairs has warned that the North might already hold up to 2,000 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, enough material for around 160 to 200 nuclear bombs. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young shared this alarming estimate during a press conference on Thursday, drawing from expert analyses to stress the need to halt Pyongyang’s fast-growing nuclear weapons program.
“Right now, uranium centrifuges are spinning at four sites in North Korea, building up more nuclear material,” Chung said. He explained that experts believe the North has enriched uranium to 90% purity or higher, and just 10 to 12 kilograms can fuel one bomb. With tensions rising on the Korean Peninsula, Chung called the situation urgent.
He dismissed international sanctions as ineffective for convincing North Korea to abandon its nuclear arsenal. Instead, restarting talks between North Korea and the United States could break the deadlock on denuclearization efforts. “We should aim to get those North Korea-US talks going as soon as possible,” Chung urged. He added that such a move might also revive stalled relations between the two Koreas, and his ministry will work hard to create the right conditions for Washington and Pyongyang to negotiate.
Chung’s comments follow a recent speech by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to lawmakers, where he expressed willingness to resume dialogue with the US—but only if demands for denuclearization are off the table. Last month, US President Donald Trump voiced hope for a meeting with Kim this year, fueling buzz about a possible summit during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering in South Korea’s Gyeongju from October 31 to November 1.
Kim has shut down any talk of negotiations with Seoul or unifying the Korean Peninsula, showing deep divides. Still, South Korea’s government under President Lee Jae-myung stays focused on building peace through dialogue and exchanges. In his UN General Assembly speech earlier this week, Lee declared an end to the era of hostility on the Korean Peninsula and promised no aggressive moves from Seoul.
In a BBC interview, Lee went further, saying South Korea would back a deal between Trump and Kim to freeze North Korea’s nuclear activities as a practical step toward full denuclearization.
On the military front, Chung revealed talks with the defense ministry about pausing live-fire exercises and training near the inter-Korean border. “Even before we revive the September 19 agreement, it’s only fair to halt shooting drills and field exercises close to the Demilitarized Zone,” he said, referencing the paused pact designed to ease border tensions.
Chung poured cold water on hopes of bringing two North Korean soldiers—captured by Ukrainian forces in the Russia-Ukraine war—to South Korea, noting that Kyiv opposes the plan. He wrapped up by reminding everyone that while South and North Korea stand as separate countries today, their division isn’t forever. South Korea’s long-term goal remains unification with the North.
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