North Korea’s fifth nuclear test confirms growing fears in the international community that the regime’s nuclear aspirations reach much further than once assumed and that Kim Jong-un is building a sizeable arsenal designed to be used if his rule comes under serious threat. North Korea nuclear test: Japan and South Korea confirm quake caused by explosion – live Read moreSince 2014 however the pace of nuclear and missile testing has accelerated, to the point where some experts now believe the country’s scientists have developed a nuclear warhead small enough to put on a missile. “All this activity is aimed at expanding the size of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and expanding its delivery options,” Davenport said. “If South Korea or Japan chose to develop nuclear weapons and leave the NPT [non-proliferation treaty] they would be ostracised by the international community. Timeline: North Korea’s nuclear weapons development Read moreLewis said the recent nuclear and missile tests demonstrated that South Korea’s planned counter-measures, including the deployment of the US-built Thaad missile defence system, were unlikely to assure the country’s protection.

Source: The Guardian September 09, 2016 04:45 UTC