The International Institute for Strategic Studies says the nuclear proliferation threat posed by North Korea has worsened over the past year.
In its "Military Balance 2004-2005" report, the London-based think tank said Pyongyang had "apparently separated enough plutonium for a few additional nuclear weapons." The institute added that there is a possibility the country may have obtained Soviet missile technology, but was quick to add that this was impossible to confirm using satellite technology alone.
The report noted that the six-nation talks on resolving the North's nuclear issue remain in a holding pattern, saying that "Pyongyang appears content to bide its time, waiting for the outcome of the U.S. elections" set for November 2.
The report also suggested that the next step toward any form of agreement with North Korea is likely to depend very much on the outcome of the U.S. presidential election in November.
However, the British think tank was quick to emphasize that diplomatic efforts to deprive North Korea of its nuclear capability will face difficulty in the future, saying that "the occupation of Iraq will continue to sap Washington's energy and potentially weaken its leverage."