North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a nuclear material production facility and a nuclear weapons research institute, emphasizing the need to strengthen the nation’s nuclear shield.
On Wednesday, the Workers’ Party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported, “Comrade Kim Jong Un provided on-site guidance at a nuclear material production facility and a nuclear weapons research institute,” adding that Hong Seung Mu, First Deputy Director of the Military Industry Department, accompanied him.
During his visit, Kim examined key processes for producing weapons-grade nuclear materials and received detailed briefings on the current state of nuclear material production, future plans, and the nuclear weapons research institute’s 2025 agenda.
He said, “This year is crucial, as it marks the period in which the five-year goals for nuclear weapons research and production set forth at the 8th Party Congress must be fully achieved. This year is a pivotal turning point where major tasks in strengthening our nuclear forces, pursued by our Party and government, must be completed and transitioned into the next phase.”
“We must further heighten the current momentum to exceed our weapons-grade nuclear material production targets and achieve groundbreaking progress in strengthening the nation’s nuclear shield,” he added.
Kim also declared, “Our state’s continuously growing nuclear technology capabilities and the achievements they produce are a source of unparalleled pride for our Party, nation, and people and a symbol of our unyielding spirit. Peace through strength and security through strength are the most legitimate principles of our struggle and our fundamental choice.”
Analyzing the current geopolitical landscape, Kim stated that challenges from hostile forces seeking power superiority are intensifying. He characterized North Korea’s security environment as the most unstable globally, necessitating a protracted confrontation with the most malicious adversaries. Kim argued that the absolute power to subdue adversaries and proactively control situations thoroughly stems not from declarations or slogans but from the actual stockpiling and exponential increase of usable military force.
He underscored the indispensability of continuously reinforcing the nuclear shield to safeguard national sovereignty, interests, and development rights. Kim reiterated that prioritizing efforts to uphold national dignity and interests while evolving their nuclear response posture beyond known limits is a firm political and military stance they must maintain.
During this visit, Kim commended the nuclear material production sector and the nuclear weapons research institute for their “remarkable production achievements” last year and encouraged the scientists, engineers, workers, and officials involved in nuclear weapons production.
Last September, North Korea publicly revealed its nuclear weapons research institute and weapons-grade nuclear material production facility for the first time. At that time, Kim Jong Un visited the site and instructed an increase in weapons-grade nuclear material production, which was interpreted as an effort to assert North Korea’s presence ahead of the U.S. presidential election.
This latest visit is also seen as part of a strategy to raise North Korea’s bargaining position by showcasing its nuclear and military capabilities rather than actively responding to newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for dialogue.
On January 23, in an interview with Fox News, Trump stated that during his first administration, he had developed a cooperative relationship with Kim and said he would contact him again.
However, North Korea has continued demonstrating its military capabilities instead of engaging in dialogue. On January 25, under Kim’s supervision, the country conducted an underwater-to-ground strategic cruise missile test, followed by this latest display of its nuclear capabilities.