Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, recently visited a secretive facility for the production of weapons-grade uranium. This facility is believed to be separate from the main Yongbyon nuclear complex. During his visit, Kim called for efforts to increase the country’s nuclear weapons capabilities exponentially. This move is seen as an attempt to pressure the U.S. and its allies.
Photos released by North Korean state media during Kim’s visit provide valuable information for estimating the amount of nuclear ingredients produced by North Korea. Kim expressed satisfaction with the technical capabilities of North Korea’s nuclear program and emphasized the need to increase the number of centrifuges to boost the production of nuclear weapons for self-defense.
South Korea strongly condemned North Korea’s actions, calling them illegal and a serious threat to international peace. Experts believe that North Korea may have already manufactured up to 60 nuclear weapons and is expanding its nuclear capabilities.
Analysts speculate that North Korea may be running multiple uranium-enrichment plants, in addition to the one disclosed recently. North Korea has been ramping up weapons testing activities since 2022, with the intent to expand and modernize its arsenal of nuclear missiles targeting the U.S. and South Korea.
The recent test-launches of short-range ballistic missiles by North Korea were supervised by Kim, showcasing the country’s nuclear capabilities. The country could potentially conduct nuclear test explosions or long-range missile tests to influence the U.S. presidential election. Analysts believe that North Korea is sending a message that its nuclear capabilities are not empty threats and that the country is continuing to produce bomb fuel.
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