North Korea may announce the completion of nuclear forces by the end of this year, South Korea's unification minister Cho Myoung-gyon said.

“North Korea has been developing its nuclear weapons at a faster-than-expected pace. We cannot rule out the possibility that North Korea could announce its completion of a clear force within one year,” Yohap agency quotes Cho who made a remark during a meeting with foreign correspondents in Seoul.

North Korea made two ballistic missile tests last year. On August 29 and September 15 this year Pyongyang fired two missiles that flew over the territory of Japan.