Seoul.- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un advocated for an “exponential” expansion of the country’s nuclear arsenal during a visit to a recently commissioned nuclear facility, according to a report this Thursday by the North Korean news agency KCNA.
Kim stated that the country’s production capacity of weapons-grade nuclear material “has more than doubled” in the last five years, and added that the priority is to “strengthen” nuclear forces “at an exponential pace.”
Thus, he said that “the existing threats that are worsening at every moment, the potential threats, and the unpredictable long-term crises highlight the urgency and responsibility” to reinforce “in a sustained and accelerated manner the nuclear deterrence capability”.
“Consequently, it is our duty to continue expanding and strengthening the state nuclear forces, the central axis of the strategy to deter and combat a war, and to fully exercise the position of a nuclear-armed state,” he declared.
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The North Korean leader visited the facilities on the eve, accompanied by senior party officials, but KCNA did not reveal details about the location of the plant.
However, the South Korean agency Yonhap pointed out that North Korea currently has uranium enrichment facilities in three locations: Yongbyon, Kangson, and Kusong; although it is unknown if the report suggests the existence of a fourth site.
At a key congress of the ruling Workers’ Party held in February, Kim maintained that the “firm and unwavering” will of the country is to “further strengthen and expand the State’s nuclear forces.”
