North Korea now has enough fissile material to build up to 90 nuclear warheads, a sharp rise from previous estimates of 20 to 60, according to a new Congressional Research Service (CRS) report released Friday. Despite years of U.N. sanctions and U.S.-South Korea military drills, Pyongyang has rapidly advanced its nuclear weapons and missile programs, posing an escalating threat to the United States and its allies.
The CRS report confirms that North Korea has expanded its uranium enrichment facility at Yongbyon and established a second site at Kangson. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Rafael Grossi recently warned that North Korea’s nuclear program is “completely off the charts,” including new enrichment sites, a light water reactor, and ongoing reprocessing campaigns. Grossi also acknowledged that diplomatic outreach, such as President Donald Trump’s historic engagement with dictator Kim Jong-un, is a more promising strategy than sanctions alone.
The CRS report estimates that North Korea has already built about 50 nuclear warheads and has enough material to construct 40 more. The Pentagon assesses that Pyongyang is capable of conducting its seventh nuclear test at any time. Of particular concern is the regime’s progress toward miniaturizing nuclear bombs for use on intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), a threat that could eventually reach the U.S. mainland. North Korean missile tests in 2017, 2022, 2023, and October 2024 have showcased growing capabilities, while Kim Jong-un has publicly claimed success in miniaturizing and standardizing nuclear warheads for tactical use.
The CRS warns that North Korea’s nuclear ambitions are fueled, in part, by support from Russia. Analysts expect Moscow to provide missile technology in exchange for North Korean troops and weapons in the Ukraine conflict. U.S. military leaders anticipate North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction program will make “significant advancements” over the next three to five years with Russia’s assistance.
North Korea is also training its forces to use nuclear weapons in combat scenarios, signaling a readiness to employ nuclear force against U.S. and South Korean assets. The CRS report concludes that Pyongyang’s missile tests and military exercises are designed to demonstrate the credibility of its nuclear deterrent and show that no first-strike option by the U.S. or its allies could eliminate the North Korean threat.
