Will North Korea start a nuclear war with the United States? “A way to defend sovereignty”: is North Korea ready to use nuclear weapons? What to do with North Korea

Seismologists from a number of countries recorded on September 3 in the territory North Korea unusual tremors. As Yonhap reports, according to the Korea Meteorological Agency, located in South Korea, the power of the earthquake was 5.6 points. Geophysicists drew attention to the fact that seismic activity was recorded near the city of Kilju in the province of Hamgyong-buk-do, where the North Korean nuclear test site is located. The data of South Korean scientists was confirmed by their colleagues from the USA, Japan and China. According to the Chinese side, the power of the shock was 6.3 points.

The earthquake occurred around 6:30 Moscow time. Chinese and South Korean scientists also recorded a second earthquake of lower power - about 4.6 points. According to experts from the China Seismological Center (CENC), the second earthquake occurred at 6:38 Moscow time - presumably it was a collapse and subsidence rock, which collapsed as a result of the first shock.

According to the Primorsky Department of Hydrometeorology and Monitoring environment, weak echoes of the earthquake in North Korea were also felt in Vladivostok. However, the background radiation in Russian Primorye is within normal limits.

“After the alleged nuclear test in the DPRK, no excess background radiation was recorded in the Primorsky Territory,” the department said in a statement.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the tremors in North Korea are nothing more than a “possible explosion.”

“Unless what happened is an explosion, the United States Geological Survey's National Earthquake Center cannot detect it (an earthquake. — RT) type,” seismologists said.

About the “explosion” of high power as a probable cause Chinese experts also reported two tremors.

The Japanese military noted that the North Korean bomb had a yield of 70 kilotons. The South Korean side estimated the charge power at 100 kilotons, and Norwegian seismologists talk about the figure at 120 kilotons - this is six times more powerful than a bomb, dropped by the United States on Nagasaki in 1945 (21 kilotons).

A council on internal and external security issues was urgently convened in Seoul in connection with the testing of nuclear weapons by Pyongyang.

North Korea confirmed its first hydrogen bomb test and called it “absolutely successful,” South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported. The Daily Telegraph reports that successful test North Korean television also reported a thermonuclear charge.

“The power (of the explosion. — RT) 10 or 20 times more than in previous tests,” Seoul National University professor Kun She told Reuters. “This scale indicates a test of a hydrogen bomb,” the expert confirms the media information.

Juche motifs

“The hydrogen bomb test was conducted to test and confirm the accuracy and performance of the power control technology and internal structure of the hydrogen bomb intended for placement on intercontinental ballistic missiles, the production of which recently began,” Yonhap quoted the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) as saying. ), the official news agency of the DPRK.

Shortly before the tremors were recorded, KCNA posted information that the country had developed a new compact hydrogen warhead that could be placed on intercontinental ballistic missiles. Two tests of missiles with a range of up to 10,000 km, capable of hitting not only American bases on the island of Guam in Pacific Ocean, but also the west coast of the United States, North Korea held in July.

North Korean ballistic missile launch
KCNA/Reuters

The new thermonuclear warhead was personally inspected by the country's leader Kim Jong-un, visiting the Nuclear Research Institute. “The Supreme Leader watched as a hydrogen bomb was installed on an ICBM,” the KCNA statement emphasizes.

“All components of the hydrogen bomb were made by domestic manufacturers, based on Juche ideas. Thus, the country can produce powerful nuclear weapon in as many quantities as she pleases,” KCNA quotes the North Korean leader.

Immediately after reports of the development of a new nuclear bomb in the DPRK, the leaders of Japan and the United States held telephone conversations on the North Korean issue. Donald Trump and Shinzo Abe “discussed the growing threat from the DPRK” and ways to put pressure on Pyongyang, the White House press service said.

In turn, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono called the DPRK's actions absolutely unforgivable and called on Russia to put more pressure on North Korea, in particular to consider introducing an oil embargo on Pyongyang.

However, this gesture, taking into account the history of the region, may be perceived in Pyongyang as a provocation, against the backdrop of ongoing US and South Korea.

“The fuel embargo is a direct preparation for war,” Konstantin Asmolov, a leading researcher at the Center for Korean Studies at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told RT. “Because if you’ve studied history, you know the role the American fuel embargo played in Japan’s entry into the war with the United States in 1941.”

“Here both technical and political reasons intertwined with each other,” political scientist Irina Lantsova explained that North Korea is conducting a nuclear test right now. — main reason“pressure and threats from the United States, forcing Pyongyang to strengthen its defense.”

First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee Alexander Sherin said in an interview with RT that the United States provoked the DPRK.

“Here we must say a big thank you to the United States, because they put the squeeze on the country. It is they who have created such conditions when the state begins to shrink into a ball and spend money on defense. Let American soldiers and bases go to the US borders, and there will be no such arms race in the world,” the deputy emphasized.

“Now North Korea finds itself in a situation where it needs to be guaranteed to protect itself, and in order to be guaranteed to receive this protection, it is necessary to conduct tests,” Lantsova notes. — Politics plays an indirect role here. In this case, it’s not even a demonstration, but a reaction to what’s happening.”

“Kim’s goals are clear: to try now at a very short time bring your nuclear missile program to such a level that it is clear to everyone that there is no third option - either a war begins, or negotiations must be negotiated with North Korea,” noted Konstantin Asmolov.

“We must understand that Kim is not going to communize the south or portray the main villain of Indian cinema in a fit of psychopathy; his goals are more pragmatic,” says the expert.

KCNA/Reuters

According to Asmolov, Pyongyang believes that, having received nuclear warheads capable of reaching the United States, it will reach a level of nuclear deterrence similar to the US-Chinese one. And then, despite the contradictions, the option of war between the two countries will be excluded.

We understand, but we don’t accept

“It cannot but be regrettable that the leadership of the DPRK, through its actions aimed at undermining the global non-proliferation regime, creates a serious threat to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region as a whole. Continuing such a line is fraught with serious consequences for the DPRK itself,” the Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the nuclear test in the DPRK.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called Pyongyang's actions "extremely sad act” and “complete disregard for the repeated demands of the international community.”

According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Tokyo has already sent a protest to Pyongyang through diplomatic channels in connection with the test of a thermonuclear charge. Shinzo Abe ordered to keep in touch with representatives of the United States, Russia and China in order to quickly respond to the developing crisis.

Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe
Reuters

“The actions of the DPRK are understandable, but unacceptable, because such a policy, firstly, greatly aggravates tensions, and secondly, undermines the world order, which is based on the authority of the UN, whose resolutions are ignored, and on the fact that nuclear weapons should be who is supposed to,” notes Konstantin Asmolov. “That is why Moscow and Beijing may question the essence of the sanctions, but believe that every such action should be formally condemned.”

According to the expert, the DPRK chose the date of the test poorly. "The congress is coming Communist Party China, today is the BRICS summit - I think that this will cause a certain emotional irritation in Moscow and Beijing and, naturally, we should expect a new round of tightening sanctions, although there is nowhere to tighten them further,” Asmolov believes.

Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Security and Defense Franz Klintsevich, in a conversation with RT, called the DPRK nuclear test a provocation.

“If earlier it was a skirmish, which, in my opinion, could hardly lead to any serious conflicts, then the tests that took place today are already a provocation on the part of North Korea. This is really serious now. I think this can no longer be allowed to happen. There is no alternative to the negotiation process and peaceful conversation. Today we need to sit down at the negotiating table and solve this problem, because North Korea defending its sovereignty in this way could lead to the emergence of very serious conflict“Klintsevich emphasized.

Trump will answer

“What is Trump going to do now? — Increase pressure on Russia and China to achieve some serious joint actions. The bet is that the irritation of Moscow and Beijing with such a move by North Korea will make them more accommodating in terms of American proposals,” believes Konstantin Asmolov.

In turn, South Korea has already announced that it will seek tougher sanctions against the DPRK - Yonhap reports this with reference to the head of the National Security Department of the South Korean Presidential Administration, Chung Eui-yong.

The agency notes that the Korean official has already held appropriate consultations with his American counterpart, President Trump's national security adviser, General Herbert McMaster. Yonhap also reports that South Korea will seek to host the “most powerful tactical weapons» USA.

“We are facing a very serious escalation, one of the most difficult in the last six months,” Irina Lantsova predicts the consequences of North Korea’s new nuclear tests.

US President Donald Trump
Reuters

According to the expert, the main problem now the fact is that after a number of loud statements from the United States, the leaders of this country have seriously limited their room for maneuver and will most likely be forced to escalate. “The problem is that Trump has threatened so much, promised so much, that he will now have to do something,” says the political scientist.

“This is not the first nuclear test - this is the sixth nuclear test, and it has always been possible to do something diplomatically,” the expert notes. “But over the past six months there have been so many menacing promises to do something that we will now have to answer for our words,” Lantsova believes.

“We should expect greater emotional involvement,” notes Asmolov. According to the expert, despite the expected tightening of rhetoric from the United States, the likelihood new war in Korea now it is “only” 35%. “I used to say that the probability of conflict on the peninsula is approximately 30%, but now it has increased by five percent,” the expert believes.

North Korea says it has nuclear weapons, but estimates of its arsenal vary widely depending on the source. Thus, Pyongyang has repeatedly announced that it has 50 nuclear warheads, the power of which is sufficient to destroy South Korea, Japan and the United States. Researchers from the authoritative American-Korean Institute at Johns Hopkins University (USA) report that the DPRK has between 10 and 16 nuclear warheads and bombs. The Brookings Institution (USA) reports that North Korea has only 8 charges.

Is North Korea capable of launching a nuclear strike?

Is North Korea capable of independently producing nuclear weapons?

Yes, I can. The country has not only technology, but also the necessary infrastructure: the nuclear complex in Yongbyon. True, accurate information about the amount of weapons-grade plutonium that this complex is capable of producing is not publicly available. The fact is that the North Korean authorities do not allow IAEA specialists* to enter the nuclear facility.

On June 7, 2015, the US State Department accused North Korea of creating a new underground nuclear complex, the purpose of which is to produce weapons-grade plutonium for nuclear warheads and bombs.

What is North Korea's nuclear doctrine?

North Korea's nuclear doctrine states that "nuclear weapons serve to deter the enemy and retaliate in the event of aggression." Pyongyang also notes that it needs the nuclear program for the development of the country's system nuclear power plants(NPP).

Can the international community somehow influence the course of the North Korean nuclear program?

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (eng. IAEA, abbr. International Atomic Energy Agency) - international organization to develop cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Founded in 1957. The headquarters is located in Vienna.

the site studied expert opinions about how much nuclear missiles and who they might threaten.

The world's attention is focused on the confrontation between the DPRK and the United States. North Korea plans to test another ballistic missile; however, the launch apparently failed, but the main evidence of this remains only the silence of the North Korean media about important event, dedicated to the 105th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung.

The US President continues to demonstrate that he intends to act decisively in the international arena: following the bombing of Syria on suspicion of the use of chemical weapons by government forces, he ordered the dispatch of warships to the shores of North Korea. Pyongyang responded by saying that if they suspect the United States of being ready to attack, they reserve the right to a preemptive strike.

In January 2003, North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Agreement, which it joined in 1985. Shortly before this, the country's authorities admitted that, in violation of agreements with the United States, they continued the uncontrolled use of nuclear technologies.

One of the organizations that regularly monitors news about the DPRK nuclear program (and analyzes satellite surveillance data, among other things) is the American Institute of Science and Technology international security. In the summer of 2016, its experts assessed the amount of material for nuclear weapons at Pyongyang's disposal as sufficient to create

from 13 to 21 nuclear warheads.

Institute experts believe that over the past two years, North Korea's nuclear arsenal has increased by four to six warhead equivalents - and decreased by one since the country conducted another underground nuclear weapons test in early 2016.

The main question is whether Pyongyang has means of delivering nuclear warheads, and if so, what kind. It is the test of a ballistic missile medium range, which allegedly failed and is now hushed up by the North Korean state media, became the reason for the aggravation of relations between the United States and the DPRK.

Earlier, sources in the DPRK reported to the South Korean press that the missile that Pyongyang planned to test the other day has a range of up to 10 thousand kilometers.

Dennis Wilder, a former adviser to US President George W. Bush, assures in a commentary to the Daily Express that, according to intelligence data, North Korea could test and acquire ballistic missiles capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to US territory within the next four years. Another expert - Professor Siegfried S. Hacker from Stanford University - in

What does this confrontation have in store for the world? For whom is the North Korean threat the greatest? What does North Korea's nuclear arsenal look like today? The former head of the military security department of the Security Council apparatus, chief of the Main Staff of the Strategic Missile Forces (1994-1996), Colonel General Viktor Esin, spoke about this.
The DPRK's nuclear program worries the world more and more, as every day it moves it closer to the brink of war. The intensity of North Korea's nuclear tests is increasing. On September 3, 2017, at the North Korean Pungge test site, in close proximity to the Chinese border, Pyongyang conducted its sixth nuclear tests.
Some American experts estimated this explosion at 140 kilotons, others at 200-300 kilotons, which is a significant increase in power, since previous explosions never exceeded 25 kilotons. Moreover, this time the DPRK officially announced that it was blown up during the tests that took place in September. H-bomb. Of particular concern is the fact that North Korea is actively working on creating delivery vehicles for its nuclear warheads, and in Lately much progress has been made in this regard. In July, two successful test launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) took place, which, as stated by Pyongyang, could reach Chicago or New York. Although a number of experts still consider such a statement to be a clear exaggeration. Bye. But there is every reason for serious concern in this regard. In August, during another ICBM test, a North Korean missile flew over the Japanese island Hokkaido and a thousand kilometers from Cape Erimo fell into the Pacific Ocean.
According to experts, it could easily reach the US air base on the island of Guam. The response to this launch was major maneuvers by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, supported by the United States, after which North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, without thinking twice, immediately announced that he would continue nuclear tests and even intensify them. And Japan, the United States and South Korea requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to condemn the actions of the DPRK. There is a clear escalation of tension that requires immediate detente. However, apart from condemnation, which North Korea easily endures, neither the United States nor its allies have any serious measures against Pyongyang in their arsenal. Sanctions taken against the DPRK have proven to be ineffective. The economy of this country is last years only growing. In 2016, according to various estimates, this growth amounted to 5%. The living standards of North Koreans are also improving. Mainly, of course, thanks to China, which accounts for almost 90% of North Korea's total foreign trade. And although Beijing itself is dissatisfied at a fast pace growth of the North Korean nuclear program - no one wants to have a country with a nuclear arsenal at their side - Beijing is still in no hurry to take drastic measures, such as a trade embargo, which could lead to the collapse of the North Korean economy.
This could be the impetus for unleashing civil war in a neighboring state that has nuclear and chemical weapons. And it is not a fact that in such a war the southerners will not defeat the northerners, after which the winner will spread the influence of his main ally - the United States - over the entire territory of the country. And China clearly would not want to receive American military bases directly near its borders. That is why Beijing, experiencing powerful pressure from the United States, still limits itself to general phrases of condemnation, as well as sanctions that complicate the development of the DPRK’s military programs, but in no way affect its economy. For decades, the United States preferred to act in the same way. Without aggravating the situation, they constantly from the UN rostrum only put forward demands for Pyongyang to stop the development and testing of nuclear weapons and their carriers. However, with the arrival of The White house Donald Trump in Washington began to talk about the possibility of a forceful solution to the North Korean problem. True, there were apparently still those there who were able to explain to the new president, who is not known for his composure in making decisions, that North Korea is a country that is not going to surrender without a fight, and now a nuclear one.
She will fight to the last soldier and, without hesitation, will use nuclear weapons against the United States, which will cause unacceptable damage to the United States, claiming hundreds of thousands of American lives. For Trump, this will immediately be the end of him political career, and the world will be on the brink of a third world war, the responsibility for which will fall entirely on the United States. Colonel General Viktor Esin commented on the possibility of such a development of events to the Army Standard.
“Not so long ago, it seemed to many that there was no need to worry too much about the North Korean nuclear missile program—the DPRK’s economy was in such a deplorable state that it was unable to support the creation of such high-tech weapons as an ICBM or a nuclear bomb. And now we see that the situation has changed radically?
— Of course, the North Koreans have made significant progress. Both in rocket science and in the nuclear field - in the sense of increasing the power of nuclear charges and increasing their number. “Don’t you think it’s strange that they worked and worked for a long time, but there was still no obvious progress?” And suddenly for very short period time is an obvious jump. - No, it’s not for a short period. They suffered many failures. Lessons were learned from them. But plus, we must assume that we still got some foreign aid in the development of engines for ballistic missiles. Ukraine could provide such assistance, but not officially, but through the so-called black market.
— Do you think that this was still Ukraine? Not China, for example, or anyone else.— No, not China, for sure. If China had wanted to, it would have done it long ago. But China itself is very wary of their nuclear missile program. And it’s not for nothing that he now condemns what Pyongyang is doing. A nuclear North Korea is something that China does not need at hand.
— What kind of nuclear missile arsenal does North Korea have today, in your opinion?
- It can be assumed that today Rocket Forces North Korea has a dozen ballistic missiles with a range of up to 1,300 km, which can be equipped with a nuclear warhead. Other missiles with a longer range have not yet been adopted. Including the launch when the North Korean Hwasong-12 missile flew over the island of Hokkaido, flying about 2,700 km, is not evidence that Pyongyang has already created such a missile. This is just a test launch. That is, the adoption of missiles with a range of up to 4000-5000 km and slightly higher is a prospect for another two to three years. And the creation of intercontinental ballistic missiles is an even more distant prospect. This is somewhere no earlier than 2022-2023. Then the first ICBM that they will take into service may appear.
- How should we feel about the fact that they, as they say, tested a hydrogen bomb?
— Not everything is clear about this yet. The picture may become clearer when the Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBT), Lassina Zerbo, based on data obtained from monitoring stations International system monitoring nuclear explosions, will publish a message on the results of measuring the magnitude and other parameters of the nuclear test conducted by the North Koreans on September 3. By the way, our seismic stations are also involved in this monitoring system. Then it will be possible to say something definite. Indeed, in the DPRK, after the previous, fifth nuclear test, which was carried out at the end of last year, they also announced that they had detonated a hydrogen bomb. But this was not confirmed.
— How is this determined? What are the differences between a thermonuclear explosion?
— The seismic characteristics of the explosion of a thermonuclear warhead differ from the characteristics of the explosion of a plutonium or uranium bomb. If you don’t go into technical difficulties, then schematically it looks something like this. A plutonium, or uranium, bomb is single-stage, that is, it has one explosion stage. And for a hydrogen bomb, the fuse is first detonated - the so-called core made of weapons-grade plutonium or uranium. When it explodes, an environment with a temperature of several million degrees is formed in the ammunition, at which the synthesis reaction of deuterium with tritium begins, after which a second explosion occurs. The most powerful. That is, the seismicity of this explosion will be different. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish whether a hydrogen bomb or a bomb based on weapons-grade plutonium or uranium was detonated.

- However, is it possible to call North Korea today nuclear power?
— Since the DPRK has about 30 nuclear weapons, it can, of course, be called an unrecognized nuclear power. Of these nuclear weapons, two-thirds are believed to be aircraft nuclear bombs and, probably, one third are nuclear warheads for missiles. The main launch vehicle that they have already developed is the Nadon-1 (Hwasong-7) missile. It has a maximum range of 1000-1300 km. Another launch vehicle is close to being tested - the Hwasong-12 missile, which the North Koreans launched on August 29. But this is exactly it - close. Before it is adopted into service, as I already noted, it will take at least another 2-3 years. Its estimated estimated range, although it is difficult to say exactly, is about 4000 km. That is, it reaches the island of Guam. Guam is a little over 3,700 km from North Korea.
— So there already exists a real nuclear threat to the United States?
- Well, how can I say, it exists... After all, tests are still underway. When they accept the missile into service, when they can launch it with confidence that it is capable of reaching its intended range, then yes, oh nuclear threat you can speak. The fact is that the North Koreans have always been distinguished by exaggerating their capabilities. Blackmailed. Today they are talking seriously about intercontinental missiles. They say we will strike Los Angeles and so on. But this is all their fantasy for now. South Korean news agencies are also trying to exaggerate the threat from the North so that the international community, especially the United States, puts more pressure on the DPRK.
“It happens that the harder you push, the stronger the impact you get.”
- Well, of course. Although the return there is still unfounded. Mostly they just scare you. Kim Jong-un, whatever he may be, is still not a suicide. He will not attack the United States first.

- But Trump can, his ambitions are overwhelming.
— Anything can happen there... No one can vouch for Trump. From the very beginning, as soon as he was elected, I expressed doubts about his ability to make adequate decisions. I have and still continue to communicate with some of my colleagues in the United States who think more sensibly. They say: this is an unpredictable president. And if everything continues the same way, when Trump threatens the DPRK with “fire and fury,” then anything can happen. It’s hard to say what he can do.
— How does this threaten our country?
“For us, the main trouble is the proximity of a possible nuclear conflict. When a nuclear war is at hand, all sorts of nasty things will, of course, fly towards us. The wind rose there is unpredictable. If any weapons are used mass destruction, then we might get hurt too.
— Can the missile defense facilities that the Americans deploy in South Korea be protected from North Korean missiles? Or are they, as they claim, directed against China and us?
- It’s not entirely correct when they start saying: against China or against us... The missile defense system solves the problem of destroying missiles. Wherever they were flying from. Naturally, if the affected area of the THAAD battery deployed in South Korea extends beyond the borders of North Korea, then its anti-missile missiles can also shoot down Chinese missiles. There are no missiles of ours that could be aimed at the United States in the affected area of this THAAD battery. The nearest missile division is in Irkutsk. But this battery cannot be reached to Irkutsk.

- So, we don’t need to worry too much? More likely, China might be nervous?
- Yes. He's nervous. Strongly. The detection range of the radar, which is part of the THAAD battery, is 2000 km. And one of the Chinese missile bases falls within the visibility range of this radar (China has seven of them in total, each is an analogue of our missile army). This base is located on east coast Yellow Sea.
- And what is your forecast for further development this situation?
“I still think that there will be no military action.” Otherwise, South Korea will be subjected to massive defeat by the North. I don’t mean that the North will defeat the South, but that if war breaks out, the Southerners’ losses will be enormous. Seoul is only 35-40 km from the demarcation line. Even the DPRK can act on it jet systems volley fire, which the northerners have. So there is no other choice but to negotiate. And in this case, Russian President Vladimir Putin is absolutely right when he insists on this. The Chinese leadership thinks the same. And the Americans don’t seem to mind negotiating, but at the same time they are putting various conditions, which are not always acceptable to Pyongyang. However, the main thing now is to stop the escalation of tensions.
The road map has already been proposed by Russia and China. First step: North Korea suspends missile tests long range and nuclear tests, and the United States, together with South Korea, refuses to conduct large-scale exercises that practice, frankly speaking, attacks on North Korea. Naturally, the DPRK is worried about its safety and bares its teeth in response. And no one wants to give in. The Americans say that the UN Security Council imposed sanctions on North Korea for conducting nuclear and missile tests, and there is no ban on conducting exercises off its shores, therefore, they say, we will conduct them as we conducted them. In this situation, we can only hope that reason will prevail. — As Sergei Lavrov said, the first step should be taken by the one who is smarter.
- Yes. It's always been like that. And not only smarter, but also stronger. And the USA is many times stronger. So we should expect reasonable actions and steps from Washington. I would really like to hope so.

Research in the field of nuclear energy in North Korea began in 1956, when an agreement on cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy was signed between the DPRK and the USSR. In 1964, also with the assistance of the USSR, a research center was founded in Yenben, and a little later a 5-megawatt nuclear reactor was put into operation. Around the same time, according to a number of experts, the DPRK began work on the use of nuclear energy for military purposes.

Over the next few decades, an extensive nuclear infrastructure was formed in the DPRK, including, in particular, the College nuclear physics at the University. Kim Il Sung and the College of Nuclear Physics as part of the University of Technology. Kim Chaek in Pyongyang, Atomic Energy Research Center, Pakcheon Uranium Mine and Processing Plant, Atomic Energy Research Center and Pyeongsong University of Science. Also, a number of uranium mines were opened and put into operation on the territory of the DPRK.

At the same time, in 1985, the DPRK signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), in 1991 - with the Republic of Korea - an agreement on the creation of a nuclear-free zone on the Korean Peninsula, and in 1992 - with the IAEA - an agreement on access to nuclear facilities of agency employees. According to the results of the ensuing inspection, the DPRK was indeed working on the production of weapons-grade plutonium necessary for the production of warheads. In the same year - 1992 - the country's leadership refused to allow the IAEA to conduct inspections at waste storage sites. nuclear fuel, and the next time it even made a statement about its intention to withdraw from the NPT.

On June 11, 1993, a joint statement by the DPRK and the United States was published. The document, in particular, indicated that the DPRK was suspending its withdrawal from the NPT, and the United States was creating the International Consortium for Energy Development on the Korean Peninsula (KEDO) to replace North Korean gas-graphite reactors with light water ones (which significantly reduce the possibility of using the plutonium produced in them for military purposes).

On September 1-3, 1993, negotiations were held in the DPRK with the IAEA delegation on the “bias” of the latter’s inspections.

On March 1, 1994, a group of IAEA experts arrived in the DPRK to inspect the agency's control equipment installed at nuclear facilities.

On May 15, 1994, the DPRK issued a statement that it had begun replacing graphite rods in the Yongbyon reactor.

On October 21, 1994, a framework agreement between the DPRK and the United States was published on the decision nuclear problem and the settlement of bilateral relations. The document, in particular, obligated the United States to take measures to build a nuclear power plant in the DPRK using two light water nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 2 million kW, and also, even before the completion of the first reactor by 2003, to ensure supplies to the DPRK liquid fuel in the amount of 500 thousand tons per year. A commitment was received from the DPRK to freeze and dismantle the existing gas-graphite reactor. In addition, according to the document, it guaranteed the preservation of the DPRK as a party to the NPT.

On November 1, 1994, the DPRK announced the suspension of the construction of reactors with graphite moderators with a capacity of 50 thousand kW and 200 thousand kW.

In March 1995, the International Consortium for Energy Development on the Korean Peninsula (KEDO) was officially approved.

On August 31, 1998, the DPRK test-launched a three-stage ballistic missile that flew over Japanese territory and then fell into the Pacific Ocean.

In 1999, the DPRK agreed to establish a moratorium on such launches until 2003.

In 2001, the US administration added North Korea to the list of countries suspected of violating the ban on research in the field of biological weapons.

On January 29, 2002, US President George W. Bush, in his message to Congress, described the DPRK countries as part of the “axis of evil” along with Iraq and Iran. The North Korean leadership responded by declaring that such a statement was tantamount to a declaration of war.

In March 2002 in New York permanent representative The DPRK held two meetings at the UN with the US special representative for the Korean peace talks, Jack Pritchard. In particular, a message was made to the latter that the issue of resuming negotiations between the two countries was “considered in a favorable light.”

On August 7, 2002, in the DPRK, KEDO began construction of the foundation for one of the light water reactors. However, construction work financed by the Republic of Korea and Japan was limited to the construction of the reinforced concrete frame of the reactor (which was facilitated to a certain extent by changes in US policy towards the DPRK after the change of presidents).

In October 2002, North Korea notified the United States that it no longer intended to adhere to the agreement to resolve the nuclear issue. In addition, North Korea acknowledged the long-term secret implementation of the program in violation of the mentioned agreement.

On October 3-5, 2002, US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly visited the DPRK, during which evidence was presented of North Korea's continuation of its own nuclear program. The DPRK recognized the resumption of development due to failure to fulfill US obligations to build light water reactors.

On October 17, 2002, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il made a statement about allowing IAEA inspectors to inspect the country's nuclear facilities.

On October 21, 2002, US Secretary of State Colin Powell made a statement that the agreement on the re-equipment of the DPRK's nuclear program had become invalid due to violations of the terms of the document by this country.

On October 21-25, 2002, the DPRK made a statement about its own right to create nuclear weapons, but at the same time declared its readiness to curtail its nuclear programs in exchange for assistance and a “non-aggression” pact with the United States.

December 13, 2002 North Korea announced the resumption of its nuclear program and its intention to return to construction nuclear reactor. The North Korean leadership emphasized the forced nature of such a step due to the cessation of fuel oil supplies from the United States.

On December 25, 2002, North Korea began removing seals from one of its fuel rod manufacturing plants.

On January 6, 2003, the IAEA issued an ultimatum to the DPRK to curtail its nuclear program.

On January 7, 2003, the United States announced its consent to negotiate with the DPRK, but only on the condition that North Korea fulfills its international obligations.

On March 12, 2003, the IAEA submitted materials to the UN Security Council for consideration of the DPRK's violation of obligations to cease work on the creation of nuclear weapons.

March 13, 2003 official representative The DPRK Foreign Ministry, Lee Kwang Hook, made a statement that Pyongyang is “able to deal a crushing blow to American interests around the world,” and also has ballistic missiles, "capable of hitting enemy targets at any distance."

On April 5, 2003, US President George W. Bush made a promise to seek a solution to the complex of problems associated with the DPRK nuclear program through peaceful and diplomatic means. At the same time, North Korea issued a warning that it does not intend to recognize the legality of any UN Security Council resolutions adopted in connection with Pyongyang's nuclear program.

On April 12, 2003, the DPRK announced its agreement to negotiate with the United States in a multilateral format if Washington abandons its hostile approach.

On April 18, 2003, the DPRK announced that the country was “successfully carrying out work on its nuclear program at the final stage, up to the reprocessing of 8 thousand used reactor rods.”

On May 12, 2003, the DPRK unilaterally withdrew from the agreement on the creation of a nuclear-free zone on the Korean Peninsula (concluded in 1992 with the Republic of Korea).

In June 2003, the United States sought a complete cessation of work within the framework of the KEDO on the construction of a light water reactor, citing the DPRK's refusal to sign a protocol on compensation in case of incidents at a future nuclear power plant.

On July 9, 2003, the state intelligence agency of the Republic of Korea presented in the country's parliament data on the DPRK conducting about 70 tests of “nuclear explosion devices” at a test site located 40 km northwest of Yongbyon. In addition, according to the agency, the DPRK has completed the processing of 8 thousand used rods from the nuclear reactor in Yongbyon (and, thus, Pyongyang received weapons-grade plutonium for the production of warheads).

On July 14, 2003, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Young-gwan, stated that South Korea does not have reliable evidence that North Korea has completed the reprocessing of spent nuclear reactor rods at Yongbyon.

On September 3, 2003, the DPRK Parliament adopted a resolution stating that the country has no choice but to “actively build up nuclear deterrent forces to protect against possible nuclear strikes on the part of the United States." In addition, the resolution noted that, given the "extremely hostile attitude of Washington," North Korea "sees no point in continuing the six-party negotiations until the United States reconsiders its position."

On September 23, 2003, the DPRK rejected the resolution of the 47th General Conference of the IAEA to dismantle its nuclear programs and refused to return to fulfilling its obligations under the NPT.

On October 2, 2003, the DPRK announced the successful completion of the processing of 8 thousand used nuclear reactor rods and the use of weapons-grade plutonium extracted from them to strengthen its own “nuclear deterrent forces.” According to some experts, the resulting plutonium is enough to make 4-6 warheads.

On October 20, 2003, during the APEC summit in Bangkok, US President George W. Bush put forward a proposal to the DPRK to renounce its nuclear program in exchange for the provision of security guarantees by the United States and other states, but rejected the possibility of signing a treaty with North Korea. non-aggression."

On February 13, 2004, US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly, based on the confession of Pakistani scientist Abdul Khan about the transfer of nuclear technology to the DPRK, made a statement that “the DPRK’s nuclear program has existed longer and is more developed than the United States believed.”

On May 22, 2004, the American newspaper The New York Times published an article according to which in 2001 the DPRK sold uranium used in weapons to Libya (and the IAEA, in turn, has evidence that this uranium was supplied from DPRK).

On June 7, 2004, the DPRK announced its intention to build up its own “nuclear deterrent forces,” the reason for which was an underground experiment using subcritical mass of plutonium conducted by the United States on May 25, 2004 at a test site in Nevada.

June 30, 2004 general secretary The ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, Shinzo Abe, at a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly, stated that Japan is ready to compensate the DPRK for the missing part of its energy resources in exchange for concrete steps to freeze the nuclear program as part of an overall plan to provide North Korea with humanitarian assistance.

On July 24, 2004, the DPRK media published materials characterizing the US proposal to curtail the country's nuclear program in exchange for economic assistance as “fictitious.” “The US proposals are not worthy of further consideration,” the DPRK leadership says.

On February 10, 2005, the DPRK announced its withdrawal from six-party negotiations (with the participation of Russia, the United States, the Republic of Korea, China and Japan) to resolve the crisis surrounding its nuclear program, and for the first time recognized the presence of its own nuclear weapons. According to the DPRK Foreign Ministry, the country's nuclear weapons are "entirely defensive" and will remain a "nuclear deterrent force."