N. Korea claims it has 'miniaturized' nuclear warheads
Kim Jong-un / Yonhap
By Park Si-soo
North Korea said Wednesday it had made nuclear warheads small enough to fit on ballistic missiles.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently said the reclusive nation had developed a small and powerful nuclear bomb and achieved its "standardization,” according to its state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
“The nuclear warheads have been standardized to be fit for ballistic missiles by miniaturizing them,” Kim was quoted as saying by the KCNA. “This can be called true nuclear deterrent.
He made such remarks during a meeting with scientists and technicians, where he gave his guidance on the development of nuclear weapons, according to the KCNA.
Pyongyang has threatened to take pre-emptive nuclear strikes against South Korea and the United States as Seoul and Washington kicked off their largest-ever joint military drills on Monday. The North claims the drills are a rehearsal for a northward invasion.
The North is also pressed by tough U.N. sanctions adopted following its Jan. 6 nuclear test and Feb. 7 long-range rocket launch.