North Korea Doubles Weapons-Grade Nuclear Output–Kim

(MENAFN) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country's ability to produce weapons-grade nuclear material has increased by more than twofold during the past five years.

The remarks were made during his visit on Wednesday to a newly opened nuclear materials production facility, according to reports released by state media on Thursday.

Kim said the country faces a prolonged confrontation with what he described as its most hostile adversaries, while existing and emerging security threats continue to grow. He argued that these circumstances make it increasingly necessary to strengthen North Korea's nuclear deterrent at a faster pace.

According to reports, Kim also said advances in nuclear technology have created a "mature environment" for the "new next stage of bolstering up the nuclear forces and they offer the possibility of carrying out larger plans."

Highlighting future objectives, he added: "We have confirmed the order of priority for implementing the ambitious future plan designed to beef up our state's nuclear forces at an exponential rate, as well as a requisite guarantee for the purpose."

Kim described the expansion of the country's nuclear capabilities as an "amazing, successful" transformation that goes beyond "rhetorical description."

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