North Korea seems to have the ability to miniaturize a nuclear warhead for its medium-range missiles, but does not appear technically ready to conduct necessary tests, Seoul's Yonhap News Agency reported Thursday, citing a US expert.
"My analysis is that North Korea could probably miniaturize a warhead that should fit for a Rodong missile," Mark Fitzpatrick, director of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Program at the US-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, told Yonhap. "Probably not as Scud missile, which has a smaller diameter, but Rodong most probably." Last week, Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, the top commander of US forces in South Korea, said that he believes Pyongyang has the capabilities to build nuclear-tipped missiles, although he has no evidence to confirm his assumption.
Fitzpatrick is in South Korea to take part in the 3rd Seoul Defense Dialogue underway for a three-day run since Wednesday. The multilateral vice ministerial-level forum has gathered hundreds of officials and security experts from 24 counties and three international organization.? "Probably, the North knows how to do it based upon their technical abilities, but until they test the miniature warhead, they would not be sure. In the process of the warhead development, it takes several tests to get it right," Fitzpatrick said.
North Korea has carried out three nuclear tests since 2006, including its most powerful one in February last year, and the bellicose state has threatened to carry out "a new form" of underground test.