4 Aug
A UN report says North Korea has probably developed nuclear devices small enough to fit inside the warheads of its ballistic missiles.
A panel of experts presented an interim report covering six months of studies to the UN Security Council's North Korea sanctions committee on Monday.
The report says North Korea is continuing to produce highly enriched uranium and construct an experimental light water reactor.
It says several countries believe the North has probably developed miniaturized nuclear devices to fit into ballistic missile warheads.
Japan assessed in its defense white paper last year that North Korea has already miniaturized its nuclear weapons.
The UN report does not say whether the North developed nuclear warheads for intercontinental ballistic missiles. This requires a higher level of technology than for short- to medium-range ballistic missiles.
It does not identify the types of missiles the nuclear devices might be designed for.
Observers say the report is aimed at raising an alarm over the progress of North Korea's nuclear program in general and at urging UN member states to fully enforce sanctions against the country.
NHK
