| “If North Korea believes the U.S. is not afraid of its nuclear deterrence despite its recent nuclear test, it might take the next step of launching a missile carrying nuclear warheads.”
In a forum held on October 24 by the U.S.-Korea Institute of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), President David Albright of the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) observed so, adding that the North’s nuclear test is ultimately aimed at making nuclear warheads and installing them on a missile.
“From the North Korean perspective, it needs to show to the world it can effectively fire nuclear warheads, rather than using the unreliable method of dropping a nuclear bomb from a fighter-bomber,” stated Albright. “The possibility should not be ruled out that it might equip nuclear warheads at least on Rodong missiles [that are mid-range].”
He also indicated, “North Korea’s nuclear test is not a failure but a ‘partial success.’ It can be said the country almost succeeded because, if it goes for another nuclear test, it will definitely correct problems revealed from the previous one.”
Regarding the North’s ability to produce nuclear warheads, Albright noted, “[North Korea] would be able to create coarse nuclear warheads that can be loaded into the Rodong missiles, but at this point there is little evidence suggesting its capability to make nuclear warheads light enough to be installed on the [long-range] Taepodong-2 missiles.”
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