North Korea Creating "Poisoned Pens" For Germ Warfare Programme, Says US Report
NDTV
Biological weapons release disease-causing organisms or toxins to harm or kill humans, animals or plants. Agents such as anthrax can cause disease and death.
North Korea is developing lethal bacteria and viruses as part of the country's biological weapons (BW) programme, US officials have warned. In its annual assessment, the US State Department said that the reclusive state has developed sprays and "poison pens" as a means of spreading deadly diseases, as per a report the UK-based The Times. The report titled "Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments" focusses less on North Korea's nuclear programme and more on the weapons designed to spread bugs such as anthrax and smallpox.
The report noted that the North has had a steady focus on its BW program.
"The United States assesses that the DPRK has a dedicated, national level offensive BW program. The DPRK has the capability to produce biological agents for military purposes. The DPRK has the technical capability to produce bacteria, viruses, and toxins that could be used as BW agents," the report posted on State Department's website said.
