Synopsis
On January 29, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a nuclear-material production base, asserting the importance of strengthening the nuclear shield against hostile nations. His remarks underscore the ongoing security challenges faced by North Korea.Key Takeaways
- Kim Jong-un emphasizes the need for a stronger nuclear shield.
- The inspection included a nuclear materials production facility and a weapons institute.
- North Korea faces ongoing security challenges from hostile nations.
- Kim's statements reflect a commitment to enhance nuclear capabilities.
- Possible locations for the inspected facility include Kangson or Yongbyon.
Seoul, Jan 29 (NationPress) The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, has conducted an inspection of a nuclear-material production facility and a nuclear weapons institute, highlighting the necessity of reinforcing the nuclear shield amidst a prolonged confrontation with the most hostile nations.
During his visit to the production facility and the Nuclear Weapons Institute, Kim evaluated the essential processes involved in generating weapons-grade nuclear materials and was briefed on the current output levels.
According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim stated that the security landscape in North Korea, characterized by a long-term clash with the most hostile nations, necessitates a continuous enhancement of the nuclear shield to address both present and emerging security threats, ensuring the country's sovereignty, interests, and developmental rights.
He noted that the external circumstances confronting North Korea are serious, with the challenges posed by hostile forces becoming increasingly evident. Kim asserted that the accumulation of nuclear arms at an accelerating pace provides a decisive capability to effectively counter North Korea's adversaries.
The leader declared that the nation's nuclear technical capabilities are progressively improving, stating, “Ensuring peace and security through strength is our method of resistance and choice.”
He further instructed the exceeding of targets for producing weapons-grade nuclear materials and the enhancement of the country’s nuclear defenses, as reported by Yonhap news agency citing the KCNA.
While the KCNA did not specify the nuclear-material production site Kim visited, published images suggest it could be the same facility he examined in September last year.
In a report to the National Assembly last year, South Korea’s intelligence agency indicated that this site was likely the Kangson nuclear complex near Pyongyang, one of the two known nuclear facilities in the secretive nation, along with the Yongbyon nuclear site.
Some analysts also suggest that the facility Kim visited this time might be a different complex.
Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, mentioned, “It is feasible to establish a uranium enrichment facility quickly, and the facility depicted in the reported image seems older than the one disclosed in September last year,” hinting it could be Yongbyon or another site.
This recent commitment from Kim for enhanced nuclear capabilities, following US President Donald Trump’s expressed willingness to engage, indicates that Kim may not respond positively and instead maintain the current hostile approach.
