According to a high-level source on August 27, North Korea already produced a centrifuge, required to enrich uranium. North Korea was successful in producing uranium nuclear weapon in 2006.According to the source, North Korea found a way to make a compound metal for centrifuge at an aluminum factory located in Bukchang, South Pyongan Province. A munitions factory in Kaechun, South PyongAn Province is creating centrifuges with this metal. However, a few electronic parts are smuggled into North Korea because North Korea cannot produce them.
The source informed that the engineer who contributed to the creation of the compound metal was elected as a representative, and was visited by Kim Jong-Il.
Open News for North Korea consulted a few experts on North Korean nuclear weapons as to whether it would be technologically possible. According to the experts, North Korea may be able to create the special metal for centrifuges. It is because North Korea has been producing aluminum and has been conducting research on compound metals at the national research center.
According to the expert, centrifuges come in two types- P1 and P2. North Korea imported blueprints for these two types of centrifuges from Pakistan. However, in order to create P1 type of centrifuge, bearing and other electronic parts are necessary. Even if North Korea can produce the special compound metal, trade in other electronic parts and bearings are controlled by international community. Therefore, it seems that North Korea has been smuggling them in.
P2 type of centrifuge is made of maraging steel, which is not a type of aluminum. In order to produce 25-30 kg of enriched uranium, which would be sufficient to make one nuclear weapon, North Korea would need 2,500-3,000 P1 type centrifuge, or 1,000-1,200 P2 type centrifuge. In other words, P2 type centrifuge is much more effective. However, there is no information that indicates that North Korea is producing maraging steel. Therefore, if North Korea is producing centrifuges, it is likely to be P1 type, and not P2 type.
If North Korea has been creating nuclear weapon with enriched uranium since 2006, it is likely that North Korea has already created 4-5 enriched uranium nuclear weapons.