WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — North Korea is rapidly becoming a nuclear power that could mount a miniaturized nuclear bomb atop an intercontinental ballistic missile within the next four years, the private intelligence firm Soufan Group said in a report on Tuesday.
"There is no public verification for North Korea’s claim to have miniaturized a nuclear warhead for a ballistic missile, but estimates indicate it likely will by 2020," the report stated.
Moreover, North Korea’s latest nuclear test on Friday demonstrates that sanctions, which are likely to be increased, have done little to dissuade Pyongyang from its goal of becoming a full-fledged nuclear power with the ability to strike targets anywhere, the report maintained.
North Korea’s latest nuclear test was twice as powerful as any of four previous tests, the report also noted.
In recent weeks, North Korea has conducted several tests in its attempt to develop a long-range, multi-stage ballistic missile.
