North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the Nuclear Weapons Institute and a production facility for weapons-grade nuclear material, inspecting a uranium enrichment plant and ordering significant advancements, the official Rodong Sinmun daily reported on Sept. 13.
According to the newspaper, Kim conducted an on-site inspection of the facility, reviewing the production of nuclear warheads and weapons-grade material. He outlined key tasks to increase production capacity.
During his visit to the uranium enrichment facility’s control room, Kim checked the operation of the production process, including centrifuges and various control systems developed by North Korean scientists. After receiving reports on the facility’s ongoing production, he expressed “great satisfaction,” Rodong Sinmun reported.
This is the first time North Korea has disclosed Kim’s visit to a uranium enrichment facility, along with related photos. Uranium enrichment facilities use centrifuges to rapidly spin uranium, producing highly enriched uranium for nuclear warheads.
While touring the production site, Kim remarked that observing the facility “energizes” him and emphasized the need to further strengthen the foundation for producing weapons-grade nuclear material. He also inspected the construction site for expanding production capacity and reviewed the equipment assembly schedule.
Praising the technology in the nuclear sector as “truly remarkable,” Kim presented a new strategic direction for nuclear force development, urging scientists to implement the party’s decisions. He noted that nuclear threats from “the U.S. and its allies” have become more blatant and have crossed the red line, making it necessary to strengthen North Korea’s nuclear forces to address future threats from the U.S.
