N. Korea has 'significant' tech level in nuke miniaturization: Seoul minister

SEOUL, Oct. 27 (Yonhap) -- North Korea appears to have achieved "a significant level" of technology to build miniaturized nuclear weapons that could be mounted on its long-range ballistic missiles, South Korea's defense chief said Monday.

"North Korea is assumed to have a significant level in its miniaturization technology. It is appropriate for the military to maintain readiness based upon the assessment," Han Min-koo said during the regular parliamentary audit into the ministry.