North Korea has ramped up its development of nuclear weaponsin recent months (Image: NORTH KOREA STATE TV)
North Korea is in the "final stages" of developing tactical nuclear weapons for use in the battlefield, according to South Korean intelligence.
South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik confirmed the latest threat from Kim Jong-un's regime during an interview with Japanese media this week. He warned of the "accelerating development" of North Korean nuclear weapons.
The South Korean minister named US military bases in Japan as the most likely target of these weapons, in an attack that would almost certainly spark a world war. There are currently around 54,000 US military personnel stationed in Japan, while 28,500 service members are deployed in South Korea.
Mr Shin said: "Although no deployment has been confirmed, development is believed to be in the final stages. The reach of these weapons includes US military bases in Japan, so there is a possibility that North Korea may attempt to use nuclear weapons in the event of a contingency."
Kim signed a treaty with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June (Image: Getty)
He said cooperation between South Korea, Japan, and the US was more necessary than ever to counter threats posed by Pyongyang.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimates Pyongyang had 50 nuclear weapons, and it may have enough material to produce 90 more. North Korea passed a law two years ago that made its nuclear-armed status "irreversible".
Tactical nuclear weapons are shorter-range and lower-yield and can be used for attacking troops on the battlefield. This contrasts with strategic ones, such as nuclear ballistic missiles that have an intercontinental range that can destroy entire cities.
Vladimir Putin and his Kremlin allies have repeatedly threatened to use tactical nukes in their war with Ukraine.
Russia and North Korea signed a military pact in June which saw the two countries pledge mutual military assistance in the event of the other being attacked.
Meanwhile, the UK, US and South Korea have warned that North Korean hackers are attempting to steal nuclear and military secrets from governments and private companies around the world.
The hackers - known by the names Andariel and Onyx Sleet - are targeting defence, aerospace, nuclear and engineering entities to obtain classified information.
The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) issued the warning along with the FBI in the US and South Korea's national intelligence service.
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North Korean hackers are attempting to steal nuclear and military secrets from governments (Image: Getty)
The stolen state secrets are intended to boost Pyongyang’s military and nuclear programs and ambitions.
The group hacked information on uranium processing, tanks, submarines and torpedoes, and targeted the UK, US, South Korea, Japan, and India.
The North Koreans were also seeking information on robot machinery, mechanical arms, and 3D printing components.
The US government have since offered a reward of up to $10m (£7.7m) to anyone with information that helps it find members of cyber groups targeting the country on behalf of foreign governments.