Story perspectives

North Korea Rejects NPT, Claims 90 Warheads Capability

5/10/2026

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Summary

Story summary

North Korea announced May 7 2026 at 11th Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in New York that it is not bound by a nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
Kim Song, UN representative, said U.S. criticism politicises meeting and will not change its nuclear-armed status.
State media reported six nuclear tests and fissile material for 90 warheads, while stockpiles were 12,241 warheads in January 2025, with United States and Russia holding about 90 %.

History

Historical Context

After the IAEA uncovered undeclared plutonium in March 1993, North Korea announced a withdrawal from the NPT, suspended it in June 1993 under the 1994 Agreed Framework, and exited the treaty on 10 January 2003. At the 2026 NPT Review Conference Kim Song repeated the 2003 defiance, claiming a stockpile of about 90 warheads, prompting United States and Russia to call for sanctions and highlighting the treaty’s weak enforcement.

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Story summary

North Korea announced May 7 2026 at 11th Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in New York that it is not bound by a nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
Kim Song, UN representative, said U.S. criticism politicises meeting and will not change its nuclear-armed status.
State media reported six nuclear tests and fissile material for 90 warheads, while stockpiles were 12,241 warheads in January 2025, with United States and Russia holding about 90 %.

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