North Korea Plans to Increase Nuclear Weapons Stockpile
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has toured a facility focused on the production of weapon-grade nuclear materials. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has revealed plans to significantly expand the country’s nuclear arsenal as part of efforts to bolster defense against external threats. During his visit to the Nuclear Weapons Institute and the production facility for weapon-grade nuclear materials, he emphasized that the nation’s actions are rooted in a defensive strategy.
North Korea asserts that it successfully tested its first nuclear deterrent back in 2006 and currently possesses an estimated 50 nuclear warheads.
On Friday, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim had familiarized himself with the production processes at the nuclear facility and toured the control room of the uranium enrichment site. Following the inspection, he was described as feeling “strong” by the media outlet.
Kim underscored that the country’s nuclear sector must not become complacent with its current achievements, stating that there is a need to “further augment the number of centrifuges in order to exponentially increase the nuclear weapons” production in a “fresh leap forward.”
He pointed to “anti-DPRK nuclear threats perpetrated by the US imperialists-led vassal forces,” which he claims have “become more undisguised and crossed the red line.”
According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, this report on Kim’s visit “marks the first time North Korea has publicly revealed details of its uranium enrichment facility.” The agency speculated that Kim may have visited the country’s “second uranium enrichment plant in Kangson.”
In addition, on Wednesday, Kim inspected the “training base of the special operation forces of the Korean People’s Army,” where he urged military personnel to “get fully ready for war.” In a speech on Tuesday commemorating the 76th anniversary of North Korea’s founding, he identified the enhancement of the nation’s nuclear capabilities as a key priority while also portraying the country as a “responsible nuclear weapons state.”
In response to joint US-South Korean and US-Japanese military exercises in the region, which North Korea interprets as preparations for aggression, the country has conducted several missile tests. In July, it claimed to have tested the Hwasongpho-11Da-4.5, a new tactical ballistic missile, which North Korea says is capable of carrying a 4.5-ton super-sized warhead and can hit targets approximately 300 miles away.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
North Korea asserts that it successfully tested its first nuclear deterrent back in 2006 and currently possesses an estimated 50 nuclear warheads.
On Friday, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim had familiarized himself with the production processes at the nuclear facility and toured the control room of the uranium enrichment site. Following the inspection, he was described as feeling “strong” by the media outlet.
Kim underscored that the country’s nuclear sector must not become complacent with its current achievements, stating that there is a need to “further augment the number of centrifuges in order to exponentially increase the nuclear weapons” production in a “fresh leap forward.”
He pointed to “anti-DPRK nuclear threats perpetrated by the US imperialists-led vassal forces,” which he claims have “become more undisguised and crossed the red line.”
According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, this report on Kim’s visit “marks the first time North Korea has publicly revealed details of its uranium enrichment facility.” The agency speculated that Kim may have visited the country’s “second uranium enrichment plant in Kangson.”
In addition, on Wednesday, Kim inspected the “training base of the special operation forces of the Korean People’s Army,” where he urged military personnel to “get fully ready for war.” In a speech on Tuesday commemorating the 76th anniversary of North Korea’s founding, he identified the enhancement of the nation’s nuclear capabilities as a key priority while also portraying the country as a “responsible nuclear weapons state.”
In response to joint US-South Korean and US-Japanese military exercises in the region, which North Korea interprets as preparations for aggression, the country has conducted several missile tests. In July, it claimed to have tested the Hwasongpho-11Da-4.5, a new tactical ballistic missile, which North Korea says is capable of carrying a 4.5-ton super-sized warhead and can hit targets approximately 300 miles away.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
