North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inspected a facility producing nuclear material and called for bolstering the country’s nuclear fighting capability, state media reported on Wednesday. The move signals North Korea’s continued focus on expanding its nuclear arsenal as it seeks to increase pressure on the United States following the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
Kim’s visit to the nuclear-material production base and the Nuclear Weapons Institute underscores Pyongyang’s commitment to advancing its nuclear program. While the exact location of the facilities was not disclosed, photos released by North Korea suggest Kim likely visited a uranium-enrichment facility he inspected last September. This marks the second public disclosure of such a facility since 2010, when North Korea first revealed a uranium-enrichment site to visiting American scholars.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim praised the “amazing” results in nuclear material production achieved last year and emphasized the need to exceed this year’s production goals to strengthen the country’s “nuclear shield.” He described further enhancing North Korea’s nuclear counteraction posture as an “invariable noble task” to address escalating challenges from “hostile forces,” a term widely interpreted as referring to the United States and South Korea.
The timing of Kim’s visit coincides with the start of Trump’s second term, raising speculation about the potential resumption of diplomacy between the two nations. Trump and Kim met three times during the president’s first term, but their 2018-19 talks collapsed over disagreements regarding U.S.-led economic sanctions on North Korea. Since then, Kim has significantly ramped up weapons testing activities.
In a recent Fox News interview, Trump referred to Kim as “a smart guy” and expressed openness to re-engaging with the North Korean leader. “I will, yeah,” Trump said when asked if he would reach out to Kim again. However, North Korea has yet to respond directly to Trump’s overtures, maintaining its aggressive rhetoric and continuing weapons tests.
Experts suggest that Kim may believe he now holds greater leverage in potential negotiations due to North Korea’s expanded nuclear arsenal and deepening military ties with Russia. On Sunday, North Korea announced it had tested a cruise missile system, its third known weapons display this year, and vowed a “toughest” response to what it called the escalation of U.S.-South Korean military drills. Pyongyang views these joint exercises as invasion rehearsals, despite assurances from Washington and Seoul that they are defensive in nature.
North Korea’s nuclear ambitions have been a persistent concern for the international community. The country is believed to possess between 20 to 60 nuclear weapons, with some experts estimating the number could exceed 100. During his September visit to the uranium-enrichment facility, Kim stressed the need to increase the number of centrifuges to “exponentially” produce more nuclear weapons.
As tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high, the international community is closely watching for signs of renewed diplomacy or further escalation. North Korea’s continued focus on its nuclear program highlights the challenges of achieving denuclearization and lasting peace in the region.