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North Korea's Nuclear Production Capability Still Intact - US Commander

The United States has not recorded "a complete shutdown" of nuclear materials' production in North Korea, US Forces Korea Commander Gen. Vincent Brooks said.
Sputnik

"Their production capability is still intact. Their testing capability we just saw affected a few months ago in the destruction of the Punggye-ri testing site, but production is a different question, so we haven't seen a complete shutdown of production yet," Brooks said at the Aspen security forum panel.

The commander stressed there were still steps that "must be taken on the road to denuclearization."

US Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats said Thursday it is unlikely that Pyongyang will dismantle its nuclear program within a year.

Satellite Images Suggest North Korea Dismantling Missile Test Site - Report
US media reported earlier in July that Pyongyang is continuing to develop its nuclear program and trying to deceive the United States about its denuclearization efforts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Fox News on Monday that achieving a complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula would require international guarantees and Russia stands ready to help.

The situation on the Korean peninsula has significantly improved within the last several months as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held talks with both South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Trump. The thaw in tensions, however, has not yet resulted in sanctions relief for North Korea.

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