TOKYO — North Korea has taken a key step toward its goal of developing a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the mainland United States, analysts said Friday after Kim Jong Un ordered yet another nuclear test.
The test, which Pyongyang said was a “nuclear warhead explosion,” appeared to be North Korea’s biggest yet.
“It’s a clear indication of progress towards developing a miniaturized nuclear warhead for North Korea’s ballistic missiles,” said Alison Evans, a North Korea analyst at IHS Markit, a consultancy.
“We estimate that North Korea has an inventory of 15 or 20 nuclear weapons and that they could be put on a truck or a short-range missile. But what North Korea is aiming for is to put them on an intercontinental ballistic missile,” she said. – READ MORE
