(LEAD) N. Korea presumed to possess up to 2,000 kg of highly enriched uranium: unification minister

▲ This file photo, published by the Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 29, 2025, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (2nd from L, top) inspecting a nuclear material plant. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

▲ Unification Minister Chung Dong-young speaks during a debate in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on Sept. 19, 2025. (Yonhap)

▲ This photo, carried by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Sept. 22, 2025, shows the North's leader Kim Jong-un delivering a speech at a key parliamentary meeting held the previous two days. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) N Korea-nuclear arms

(LEAD) N. Korea presumed to possess up to 2,000 kg of highly enriched uranium: unification minister

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with more info)

SEOUL, Sept. 25 (Yonhap) -- North Korea is presumed to possess up to 2,000 kilograms of highly enriched uranium as the country has sought to dramatically expand its nuclear weapons capabilities in recent years, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Thursday.

The minister disclosed the assessment during a press conference, citing publicly released estimates by experts.

"It is urgent to stop (it). Even at this very hour, uranium centrifuges at four locations (in North Korea) are running, probably accumulating nuclear materials," Chung said.

"Estimates (by experts) suggest North Korea possesses up to 2,000 kg of highly enriched uranium at 90 percent and higher," he said, adding that uranium between 10 to 12 kg is enough to produce one bomb.

Chung assessed that it is now impossible to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program through international sanctions, saying that the resumption of North Korea-U.S. talks could instead serve as a "breakthrough" in stalled denuclearization efforts.

"It will be desirable for (North Korea-U.S. talks) to take place as soon as possible," the minister noted.

Their resumption, once realized, could also help reopen stalled inter-Korean ties, and the government will do its "utmost" to foster an environment for talks between Pyongyang and Washington, he said.

His remarks came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in a recent speech to a key parliamentary meeting, reiterated the regime's interest in resuming talks with Washington, on condition that the long-standing call for denuclearization be dropped.

Kim, however, ruled out talks with Seoul and rejected the possibility of unifying the two Koreas.

Despite Pyongyang's resistance, the Lee Jae Myung administration remains committed to pursuing peace with North Korea through dialogue and exchanges.

In his address to the U.N. General Assembly earlier this week, Lee stressed that the era of hostility and confrontation on the Korean Peninsula should end, declaring that Seoul has no intention of engaging in hostile acts.

In a recent interview with the BBC, Lee also said Seoul would accept a possible deal between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim to freeze the North's nuclear programs as a "realistic alternative" on the path toward the ultimate denuclearization.

Meanwhile, Chung disclosed that his ministry is in discussion with the defense ministry about suspending live-fire drills and military field training near the inter-Korean border.

"It is the unification ministry's position that it is fair to suspend shooting drills and field trainings in regions near the Demilitarized Zone even before the restoration of the Sept. 19 agreement," he said, referring to the now-suspended inter-Korean pact aimed at reducing border hostility.

Chung cast a negative outlook on bringing two North Korean soldiers, captured by Ukrainian forces in the war with Russia, to South Korea, saying he had been told that Kyiv is opposed to the idea.

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