KIM ‘PLAGUE BOMB’ ALERT
N Korea ‘doomsday’ device
NORTH Korea is building a “doomsday” bomb to unleash bubonic plague on the West, spies fear.
MI6 believes the rogue state already has a well-stocked arsenal of biological weapons capable of killing millions.
But Kim Jong-un, right, is now thought to have ordered military scientists to “weaponise” a range of deadly bugs.
The bio-weapons are being tested on prisoners and political dissidents to see how quickly they can kill, according to intelligence sources.
Experts believe hundreds of North Korean prisoners have died in agony after being infected.
North Korean scientists are thought to be producing several different diseases and manmade biological weapons such as plague, anthrax, viral haemorrhagic fevers and smallpox.
Intelligence chiefs believe dozens of agents are now being trained to contaminate water supplies and transport networks in the hope of creating a global panic if the United States launches a preemptive strike against Kim.
It is thought there are at least three weapons production facilities and seven research centres developing lethal bugs.
One intelligence source said: “We know Kim wants to develop a very deadly bio-weapon so that he can threaten the West. He is not satisfied with a nuclear arsenal. Most of the bugs can be carried in very small containers and can be used to contaminate a vast area. “Compared to nuclear bombs, bio-weapons are dirt cheap. They really are the poor man’s WMD.”
They added: “North Korea is effectively a doomsday bomb – the consequences could be catastrophic.” Meanwhile, the Royal Navy has positioned a nuclear submarine within striking distance of North Korea, the Daily Star Sunday has learned.
The Vanguard Class sub – armed with Trident missiles – will remain in place until the crisis with the communist State is resolved.
AT least 13 people have died after two explosions rocked the capital of Somalia.
A suicide car bomb went off outside a popular hotel in Mogadishu while a second blast was heard shortly afterwards near the former parliament house.
Last night more than 20 people were thought to be trapped inside the hotel where security forces were trying to end a siege by al-Shabab extremists.
Earlier in the month a massive truck bomb killed 358 people in Mogadishu.