North Korea continues to expand its nuclear capabilities at an alarming rate, producing sufficient nuclear material each year to build 10 to 20 nuclear weapons, South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung said at a New Year press conference on January 21, 2026.
North Korea Produces Nuclear Material For Weapons
Speaking to reporters, President Lee warned that Pyongyang’s nuclear program remains active and poses a growing threat not just on the Korean Peninsula, but globally. According to Lee, “even now, nuclear materials sufficient to produce 10 to 20 nuclear weapons a year are still being produced” in North Korea — a sign that the isolated state’s capacity to enrich weapons-grade material has not diminished.
Rising Strategic Threat
Lee highlighted that North Korea is not only increasing its nuclear production, but also improving its missile technology, including long-range capabilities potentially capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. He cautioned that once Pyongyang deems its own arsenal sufficient to secure its regime, any surplus nuclear weapons or technology could be exported outside its borders, creating a “global danger.”
Call for Pragmatic Approach
In his remarks, the South Korean president emphasized the need for a realistic and pragmatic strategy in dealing with North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. Lee suggested that a suspension of nuclear material production and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) development, as well as a halt to overseas exports of such technology, would benefit all parties involved — including North Korea itself.
Lee said he had raised this point directly with both U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, stressing the importance of cooperation among major powers to address the threat.
Diplomatic Overtures Amid Tension
Since taking office in June 2025, President Lee has pushed for dialogue with Pyongyang without preconditions, a shift from the more hard-line policies of his predecessor. However, North Korea has not responded positively to these overtures. Instead, Pyongyang recently accused South Korea of sending a drone into the border city of Kaesong — a charge Seoul denies, saying any such activity was likely civilian-led.
