▲ This file photo, published by the Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 29, 2025, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (2nd from L, top) inspecting a nuclear material plant. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

N Korea-nuclear arms

N. Korea presumed to possess up to 2,000 kg of highly enriched uranium: unification minister

SEOUL, Sept. 25 (Yonhap) -- North Korea is presumed to possess up to 2,000 kilograms of highly enriched uranium as the country has sought to dramatically expand its nuclear weapons capabilities in recent years, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Thursday.

The minister disclosed the assessment during a press conference, citing publicly released estimates by experts.

"It is urgent to stop (it). Even at this very hour, uranium centrifuges in four areas (in North Korea) are running to accumulate nuclear materials," Chung said, suggesting the resumption of North Korea-U.S. talks can serve as a "breakthrough" in stalled efforts to denuclearize the country.

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