North Korea assessed as having miniaturized nuclear warhead for missile

The Japanese Ministry of Defense has concluded that there was evidence that North Korea has achieved miniaturization of nuclear weapons and was capable of fitting one or more inside long-range missiles. The US Defense Intelligence Agency has assessed that North Korea has up to 60 nuclear weapons, more than previously predicted. Intelligence experts find Pyongyang approaching the key threshold to becoming a nuclear power much faster than believed possible.  It is unclear whether North Korea has tested the miniaturized weapon.

US intelligence also estimates from recent tests that North Korea is likely to be able to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles by next year.