North Korea confirms new and improved nuclear weapons in the works
SEPTEMBER 18, 20158:40AM
MEGAN PALINnews.com.au
AUSTRALIA is an “easy target” for a potential nuclear attack from North Korea, although as a sparsely populated country, it’s unlikely we’ll be bombed directly.
That’s the view of Australian National University Korea expert Leonid Petrov, who told news.com.au that the secretive state would be able to make enough weapons-grade plutonium to create a nuclear bomb each year.
And he said their weapons could reach Australia, although, as we don’t have a huge strategic importance or many military operations, they are more likely to target South Korea, Japan and the USA.
North Korea mothballed the Yongbyon nuclear reactor in 2007 under a six-nation aid-for-disarmament accord, but began renovating it after its last nuclear test in 2013.
This week, the country’s Atomic Energy Institute said that the Kim Jong-un regime had been improving the quantity and quality of its nuclear weapons and confirmed the Yongbyon nuclear complex — including a five-megawatt reactor — was now fully operational.
Mr Petrov, the Australian National University’s Korean studies researcher, said that meant North Korea was now producing weapons-grade plutonium — used in nuclear bombs — at the facility as part of its nuclear weapons program.
“Plutonium materials are perfect materials for nuclear bombs,” Mr Petrov said.
“North Korea claims the primary purpose is economic for electricity but it doesn’t deny the plutonium material can be used for nuclear bombs, which they are happy to use in case of invasion, which they claim constantly.”
The facility is capable of producing about 6kg of plutonium per year — enough for one nuclear bomb.
“The nuclear weapons program is a domestic message that North Korea is at constant threat of invasion from South Korea and the USA,” Mr Petrov said.
North Korea has been subjected to tough economic sanctions over their controversial nuclear programs, their latest move understood to be an attempt to pressure Washington into restarting talks that could lead to concessions.
The announcement regarding the revitalisation of the Yongbyon nuclear complex comes just one day after North Korea threatened to launch satellites into orbit, a move criticised by the US, Japan and other countries as being long-range missile testing in disguise.
Ballistic missile tests are banned under UN security council resolutions.
“The news of the facility came hand in hand with the announcement that another rocket is going to be launched sometime soon to deliver a satellite into orbit, but it’s more likely [Pyongyang is testing] the engine boosters, potentially carrying the pay loads,” Mr Petrov said.
“So far North Korea has several dirty bombs: nuclear devices that can be detonated, but they’re pretty bulky — their size and weight is not useful in a combat, tactical situation.
“They need the carriers and delivery method, otherwise the bulky nuclear bombs are useless and that’s why they experiment with long range missiles.”
The expected missile launches will coincide with the 70th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ party on October 10.
“What they’re doing now is to miniaturise the devices so the size and weight can be mounted on missiles, such as rockets, that deliver warheads to the targets that are threats,” Mr Petrov said.
He added Australia was unlikely to be a target for North Korea in a nuclear attack, despite our huge land mass.
But he said we “wouldn’t go unscathed” in the event of a nuclear explosion in another country.
“We have citizens residing and working and travelling all over Asia,” Mr Petrov said.
“Australia is definitely going to be impacted by any significant escalations of tensions in Korea.
“A nuclear strike hasn’t been seen since 1945 at end of World War II when Japan was bombed. “But the existence of nuclear bombs means the threat of strikes always exists and the consequences would be catastrophic.
“If the conflict in Korea is triggered, and there is a full on nuclear combat situation … we’re likely to be involved in the conflict.”
South Korea’s defence ministry said on Tuesday that the firing of a long-range missile would represent a “serious” violation of UN resolutions.
North Korea has staged several successful nuclear tests, in 2006, 2009 and 2013.
According to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, “the only guarantee against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is their total elimination”.
“A mistake, reckless shot, miscalculation of information or poor judgment might lead to uncontrolled escalation of tensions in Korea where the hostilities may cause the situation to easily get out of control,” Mr Petrov said.
“Once it’s at that stage it may lead to potential nuclear disaster.
“The threat continues and is not diminished.”
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