North Korea has publicly revealed images of its uranium-enrichment centrifuges for the first time, as Kim Jong Un visited a key nuclear facility, urging increased production of weapons-grade material. State media reported that Kim's visit to the Nuclear Weapons Institute and a production site for weapons-grade nuclear material included the unprecedented release of photos showing long rows of metal centrifuges. While the timing and location of the visit were not disclosed, the images provide a rare glimpse inside North Korea's nuclear program, which remains banned under several U.N. Security Council resolutions.

During the visit, Kim emphasized the need for ramping up production of materials for tactical nuclear weapons, calling the nuclear arsenal essential for self-defense and preemptive strike capabilities against threats posed by the U.S. and its allies. He warned that nuclear threats from "U.S.-led imperialist forces" had crossed a critical threshold.

In response, South Korea condemned North Korea’s move and reiterated its refusal to accept Pyongyang’s possession of nuclear weapons. North Korea is suspected of maintaining multiple uranium enrichment facilities, with analysts pointing to satellite imagery showing recent construction and potential expansion at its primary site, the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center.

Uranium, a naturally occurring radioactive element, is enriched to increase its concentration of uranium-235 for use in nuclear fuel. Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, confirmed that recent activities at Yongbyon suggest ongoing reactor and enrichment operations.

Kim stressed the need to increase the number of centrifuges and implement new types of machines to boost the production of weapons-grade nuclear materials. Experts noted that the centrifuges shown in the recent photos appear smaller and more advanced than those previously believed to be used by North Korea, indicating technological advancements in its uranium enrichment processes.

The development of a new type of centrifuge suggests North Korea is enhancing its nuclear fuel production capacity, said nuclear expert Ankit Panda. He also noted that the country may increasingly rely on uranium for its nuclear warhead cores, which would allow North Korea to scale up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium more easily than plutonium.

North Korea has invited foreign scientists to view its facilities in the past, but this is the first time it has publicly released photographs of the centrifuges. Jenny Town, an expert at the Stimson Center, noted that the images signal North Korea's growing commitment to expanding its nuclear arsenal. Some analysts believe the timing may be intended to send a message to the U.S. ahead of its election, indicating that denuclearization is no longer feasible.

North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests between 2006 and 2017, with estimates of its nuclear stockpile ranging widely. A July report by the Federation of American Scientists estimated that North Korea might have enough fissile material for up to 90 nuclear warheads, with around 50 likely assembled. In addition to his visit to the nuclear facility, Kim oversaw the test launch of a 600mm multiple rocket launcher and visited an army training base.