North Korea Nuclear Weapons Program

North Korea is stepping up nuclear weapons development, asserting their necessary to defend against imaginary threats — most notably from enemies in the US and its allies. By emphasising the iconic nature of defence success, this exercise serves to legitimise nuclear weapons too as symbols of national prowess and resilience.

North Korea Develop More Nuclear Weapons.

Causes of Nuclear Weapon Agents Building:

• History of US controversy and military tensions
• Increased domestic leverage and legitimation after the award of national prestige.

Estimates of Nuclear Arsenals:

• 80 to 90 warheads (experts estimate as many as 166 by 2030)

Nuclear Weapons Design Process

• Uranium Mining and Enrichment for Fuel
• Major sites such as the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center.
• Assembly of Nuclear Devices- Factory

Testing Procedures :

• Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site, for any and all nuclear tests.
• Six nuclear tests between 2006 and 2017
• It briefly paused nuclear testing in 2018

International Response:

• UN Security Council sanctions: They curtailed the country's nuclear program.
• Blocked by Russia and China
• Opponents of the deal claim it jeopardizes funds that would otherwise be spent on improving the economy and lifting people out of poverty.