On 3/6, leader Kim Jong-un visited a "newly inaugurated nuclear material production plant", according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). During his visit, Kim stated that North Korea's capacity to produce weapon-grade nuclear material has more than doubled in the past 5 years. He further emphasized the country's ambitious future plans to strengthen national nuclear power at an exponential rate.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (right) inspects the newly inaugurated nuclear material production plant on 3/6. *Photo: KCNA*

While North Korea did not disclose the specific location of the facility Kim visited, experts believe it is likely a newly constructed uranium enrichment plant at Yongbyon.

Yang Moo-jin, former president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, suggested that if the site is indeed in Yongbyon, publicizing images of the new facility appears to be Pyongyang's way of deliberately showcasing its expanding nuclear capabilities.

Yang added that North Korea is sending a clear message: denuclearization is not a negotiable topic with Washington. This message comes as Iran's enriched uranium volume remains a key issue in nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Hong Min, an expert at the Korea Institute for National Unification, highlighted that the most important message from Kim's inspection tour is North Korea's accelerated nuclear material production to meet growing demand. Hong explained that Pyongyang has unveiled various tactical nuclear missiles, which require an increasing number of small nuclear warheads.

A North Korean cruise missile launches during a test on 26/5. *Photo: KCNA*

North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1993. Since then, it has conducted 6 nuclear tests and faced numerous United Nations sanctions resolutions.

The nation is believed to be operating uranium enrichment facilities at three sites: Yongbyon, Kangson, and Kusong. Pyongyang may currently possess dozens of nuclear warheads.

Rejecting pressure from the US, North Korea continues to assert it will not abandon its arsenal, describing its path to nuclear development as "irreversible."

By Huyen Le (According to AFP, KCNA)