Kim Jong Un inspects new nuclear plant, pledges expansion

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inspected a newly inaugurated nuclear materials production facility, state media reported Thursday, announcing plans to expand the country's nuclear arsenal at an exponential rate. The visit, which took place on Wednesday, included a high-level meeting at the site where Kim issued new action guidelines for accelerating the nuclear weapons program.

According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim stated that North Korea's production capacity for weapons-grade nuclear material has more than doubled over the past five years. He attributed this growth to the work of the country's nuclear scientists. The agency reported that the new facility employs more sophisticated technology, though it did not disclose the plant's location or its operational start date. Photographs released by state media showed Kim walking through aisles lined with rows of silver tubes and pipes, in what analysts suggest is a centrifuge hall for enriching uranium.

During the visit, Kim convened what was described as an important consultative meeting for bolstering the nuclear forces. He said the expanded production capacity creates a mature environment for...