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| Members of conservative civic groups, including the Korea Parent Federation, criticize Pyongyang's claimed hydrogen bomb test during a rally held at Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul, Thursday. / Yonhap |
By Kim Hyo-jin
North Korea's fourth nuclear test on Wednesday proved that the country has taken a step closer toward miniaturizing nuclear warheads.
Military officials here are expressing concerns that the North has further developed its capability to build nuclear warheads small enough to fit atop missiles through the latest test.
"We assess that the North's miniaturization technology of nuclear warhead is improving," Defense Minister Han Min-koo said during a meeting with the National Assembly's Defense Committee, Thursday.
North Korea on Wednesday claimed that they successfully conducted a hydrogen bomb test. Although questions were raised over whether it was really a hydrogen bomb, experts agree that the test helped the isolated country further refined technology to miniaturize nuclear warhead.
Pyongyang has been working on reducing the weight of its nuclear device so it can be loaded on missiles. Experts say that the technology has been in continual development since 2006 when the North conducted its first nuclear test.
They also point out the size of the explosion mark detected at a Pyongyang's high-explosive test site has reduced from 4 meters in 1989, to 1.5 meters in 2001, and to less than 1 meter in recent years.
"North learns from each test," said Paul Carroll, Director of Programs at Ploughshares Fund, a foundation with expertise on North Korea's nuclear program. "Though it has still a long way to truly mount a warhead to a missile, this test likely put them closer to that day."
In the face of a direct threat from improvements to the North's nuclear capabilities, South Korea appears to be overhauling its stance toward North Korea's nuclear program.
President Park Geun-hye said the latest test will "fundamentally change" how the international community views the North's nuclear technologies.
Lawmakers of the ruling Saenuri Party raised their voices over adjusting the government's policy, mentioning the need to acquire its own nuclear deterrence.
"It is time to overhaul our countermeasures against North's nukes. We should think about having our own nuclear development program for the purpose of self-defense," Rep. Won Yoo-chul, party's floor leader said during a party meeting.
He called for re-deployment of strategic nuclear weapons by the United States in South Korea, which were withdrawn in 1991 during the Roh Tae-woo administration. Similar views were also raised among hawkish politicians when the North carried out its third nuclear test in 2013.
Meanwhile, Saenuri Chairman Rep. Kim Moo-sung urged the opposition party to cooperate for the passage of anti-terrorism and the North Korean human rights bills, which have been pending due to differing views between rival parties.
"The biggest threat is the North Korea's nuclear power and act of terror. Opposition should stop political strife and work together on guaranteeing national security," Kim said.
Rival parties adopted a resolution denouncing North Korea's nuclear test and demanding stricter sanctions during the Assembly's diplomacy and unification committee meeting.
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