Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently visited a uranium enrichment facility, calling for the production of additional centrifuges to increase the output of weapons-grade material for nuclear bombs, according to a Friday report by state media KCNA.
The report provided a rare glimpse into North Korea’s nuclear program, which is prohibited under several United Nations Security Council resolutions. Accompanied by photographs, the coverage showed Kim inspecting rows of metal centrifuges used for uranium enrichment. The timing and location of the visit were not specified.
Kim urged the facility’s workers to enhance production for tactical nuclear weapons, asserting that the country’s nuclear arsenal is crucial for countering perceived threats from the United States and its allies. “The weapons are needed for self-defense and the capability for a preemptive attack,” he stated.
The North Korean leader also criticized “anti-DPRK nuclear threats” from “U.S. imperialists-led vassal forces,” declaring that they have crossed a red line.
North Korea is known to operate several uranium enrichment sites. Recent commercial satellite imagery has indicated construction activities at the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center, particularly at its uranium enrichment plant, suggesting potential expansion.
Uranium, a naturally occurring radioactive element, is enriched to increase the concentration of uranium-235 for nuclear fuel. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi reported on Monday that the U.N. nuclear watchdog had observed activities consistent with the operation of a reactor and centrifuge enrichment facility at Yongbyon.
Kim emphasized the need to “exponentially increase” the number of centrifuges and adopt a new type to strengthen the production of weapon-grade nuclear materials. Ankit Panda of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace noted that the new centrifuge type indicates advancements in North Korea’s fuel cycle capabilities. Panda suggested that North Korea’s tactical nuclear weapons might rely primarily on uranium due to the scalability of highly enriched uranium compared to plutonium.
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Estimates of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal vary widely. A July report by the Federation of American Scientists estimated the country could have enough fissile material for up to 90 nuclear warheads, though it likely has assembled closer to 50.
Additionally, Kim oversaw the test launch of a new 600mm multiple launch rocket system on Thursday and inspected a special operations training base for North Korea’s army, guiding a drill held on Wednesday.
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In a related development, North Korea’s foreign ministry spokesperson criticized a recent defense ministerial meeting between members of the U.S.-led United Nations Command in Seoul, labeling it a “war organization”. Germany recently joined the command, which now includes 18 nations committed to defending South Korea and monitoring the heavily fortified border with North Korea.
