Yonhap News Agency:
SEOUL, Nov. 28 (Yonhap) — South Korea’s unification minister said Tuesday that North Korea may announce the completion of its nuclear weapons programs next year as the North has been working on its nuclear arsenal at a faster pace.
Cho Myoung-gyon made the remark as North Korea seeks to develop nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching as far as the U.S. mainland.
“North Korea has been developing its nuclear weapons at a faster-than-expected pace. We cannot rule out the possibility that North Korea could announce its completion of a clear force within one year,” Cho told foreign correspondents in Seoul.
He said that next year will be a key year for North Korea as the wayward regime marks the 70th anniversary of its establishment in 2018.
The North conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test in September and fired two intercontinental ballistic missiles this year. But it has refrained from provocations following its launch of an intermediate-range missile over Japan on Sept. 15.
Japan’s Kyodo News reported Monday that radio signals suggested that North Korea might be preparing for a ballistic missile launch…
