N Korea’s Kim Jong Un calls for ‘exponential’ expansion of nuclear arsenal

Kim says expansion is necessary due to worsening security threats and long-term confrontation with the ‘most ferocious enemies’.North Korea has unveiled a new facility to produce nuclear bomb fuels as leader Kim Jong Un calls for an “exponential” expansion of his country’s atomic arsenal.During a visit to the facility on Thursday, Kim said production capacity for weapons-grade nuclear material was more than double its level of five years ago, the state Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Putin suggests Russia’s war on Ukraine ‘coming to an end’list 2 of 3Tears as North Korean women win in South to reach AFC Champions League finallist 3 of 3How Chinese, Iranian companies profit in Russia-occupied Ukrainian regionsend of listKim said the expansion is necessary due to what he referred to as worsening security threats and a long-term confrontation with the “most ferocious enemies”, reaffirming his government’s policy to increase its nuclear deterrence.Kim was also briefed on new production processes incorporating more advanced technology and reviewed current output targets and future plans, KCNA said.Photos published by KCNA showed Kim walking through narrow aisles with dense rows of silver tubes and pipes.Analysts said Kim’s visit to the nuclear fuel production site aims to send a message that his government draws a firm line against denuclearisation [File: KCNA via Reuters]According to KCNA, a key consultative meeting on increasing nuclear forces was held on the same day.The country has set out the sequence and safeguards for executing an “ambitious future plan designed to beef up our state’s nuclear forces at an exponential rate”, KCNA quoted Kim as saying.Kim added that this is a “historic event that has set up an epochal milestone in rapidly upgrading our nuclear capabilities”.According to some analysts, Kim’s visit appeared aimed at reinforcing his country’s position that denuclearisation is not an option before potential diplomatic engagement, particularly with the United States.