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The Internet news site Drudge Report reported Sunday that CIA reports reveal that North Korea possesses between two to four nuclear weapons of limited yield and one factory producing biological agents for use in weapons.
The Drudge Report made the claim based on a CIA report cited by veteran Washington Times Pentagon reporter Rowan Scarborough in his soon to be released book, "Rumsfeld's War."
The piece also forecasts that within 20 years, China's ICBM stockpile will grow from its current 40 missiles to 220.
In the meantime, Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday that North Korea is prepared to completely dismantle its nuclear programs. He said, "On that premise [of completely dismantling its programs], it will completely freeze its nuclear activity."
According to Japan's Kyodo News Agency, Wang said this Monday to Japanese Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Aizawa Ichiro, who currently visiting China.
The phrase "complete freezing of its nuclear activity" would seem to suggest the inclusion of its highly enriched uranium program, and by stressing efforts to get the North to completely dismantle its nuclear weapons programs, Kyodo believes China will try to promote an agreement during the coming six-party talks.
Robert Koehler, internetnews@chosun.com
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