Nuclear security

North Korea has miniaturized nuclear weapons, Seoul researchers say

North Korea could have miniaturized more than 600 pounds of nuclear warheads, a South Korean government body stated in a recent report.

Seoul's National Assembly Research Service said the warheads could be mounted on missiles in an analysis that runs counter to a South Korean military statement issued in March.

South Korea's defense ministry had said North Korea has not reached a stage where nuclear weapons can be mounted on ballistic missiles.

But the parliamentary research group's report, issued Thursday, concluded the North has been able to amass 660 pounds of miniaturized nuclear warheads, and the number of weapons range between 8 and 20, local newspaper Seoul Shinmun reported Tuesday.

The report stated Seoul's defense ministry estimates of North Korean nuclear reserves and miniaturization were "too conservative."