N. Korea maintains active biological weapons program: DoD report
All News 01:23 August 24, 2023
By Byun Duk-kun
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 (Yonhap) -- North Korea continues to maintain an active biological weapons program and it likely is the only country in the world that continues to produce toxic agents that can cause highly infectious diseases, the U.S. Department of Defense said in a report.
The report, titled Biodefense Posture Review (BPR), also highlighted that North Korea, along with China, Russia and Iran, possess the knowledge and ability to use such toxic agents if necessary.
"The PRC, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, probably maintain the knowledge and capability to produce and employ traditional pathogens and toxins," said the report.
"These countries historically pursued, and at least one country (North Korea) continues to pursue, pathogens that cause highly infectious or contagious diseases, such as anthrax, plague, and toxins, including botulinum toxin. These nations probably also retain the knowledge and ability to employ these agents if necessary," it added.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230824000200325
